Walsall marked their return to action at the Banks’s Stadium for the first time since March with a draw against League One outfit Burton Albion.
Josh Gordon goal was cancelled out by John Brayford in an eventful opening 15 minutes before the game fizzled out, particularly in the second half.
Darrell Clarke started with a strong team with Liam Roberts in goal, a back four of Cameron Norman, James Clarke, Dan Scarr and Callum Cockerill-Mollett.
Liam Kinsella partnered Alfie Bates in midfield behind a front quartet of Rory Holdon, Wes McDonald, Caolan Lavery and Gordon.
The Saddlers made a bright start and took the lead after just 10 minutes when Gordon latched onto to Alfie Bates’ low free-kick and swept the ball into the bottom corner.
Burton responded well and got back on level terms just five minutes later when Joe Powell’s corner was flicked on into the path of John Brayford who tapped the ball home from close range.
Both sides looked to get on the front foot in the first half. Walsall had a good chance to re-take the lead when Lavery’s teasing cross was met by Holden who just hooked the ball over the bar.
Both sides went into the break on level terms after a close first half.
The second half started slower than the first as both sides struggled to create any clear-cut opportunities.
Darrell Clarke made six changes at the break as Mat Sadler, Sam Perry, Jack Nolan, Elijah Adebayo, Trialist A and Trialist B were all introduced in place of Clarke, Kinsella, Bates, Holden, Gordon and Lavery.
There were three further changes 10 minutes later as Tom Leak, Zak Jules and Jayden Campbell came on in place of Scarr, Cockerill-Mollett and McDonald.
Walsall’s best chance of the half came through Adebayo whose looping header just missed the target on 80 minutes.
Burton Substitute Tom Hewlett fired a shot just over the bar from just outside the box moments later but it proved to be a quiet half for both goalkeepers.
Saddlers team: Roberts, Norman, Clarke (Sadler), Scarr, Kinsella (Perry), Bates (Trialist A), Holden (Trialist B), Gordon (Nolan), McDonald, Lavery (Adebayo).
Subs: Jackson (GK), Jules, Sadler, Adebayo, Nolan, Leak, Willis, Perry, Campbell, Foulkes, Trialist A, Trialist B