Walsall came from behind to earn a draw against Rochdale on a poignant night at the Poundland Bescot Stadium as we paid tribute to Wayne Evans.
Former Saddler Devante Rodney gave Jim McNulty’s side the lead on 27 minutes but the hosts fought back in the second half and equalised through Isaac Hutchinson’s delicious strike.
Both teams had early half chances as Michael Ayufe saw his effort blocked before Hutchinson rifled in a shot that took a deflection and went behind.
Kairo Mitchell threatened on 18 minutes as he arrowed a shot just wide of the near post moments before he had a header cleared off the line by Liam Gordon.
The visitors opened the scoring on 27 minutes when Mitchell played the ball back to Rodney and the forward swept the ball into the bottom corner.
Rochdale continued to threaten after taking the lead and came close to adding a second when Jimmy Keohane curled in a shot that was tipped over by the fingertips of Trialist A.
Walsall’s best chance of the first half came on the stroke of half time when Douglas James-Taylor slipped the ball through to Hutchinson who tried to slide the ball home but Louie Moulden saved well with his feet.
The Saddlers started the second half well and had a glorious chance on 50 minutes when a deep cross found its way to Liam Gordon at the far post and he cut it back towards Matt but the striker couldn’t sort his feet out in time and it bounced off his heel and away from goal.
Mat Sadler made three changes on 62 minutes as he introduced Taylor Allen, Freddie Draper and Ryan Stirk in place of Gordon, James-Taylor and Brandon Comley.
Draper almost made an immediate impact when he rounded Louie Moulden but he had the ball cleared from under his feet.
Allen also came close with a 25-yard rocket but a deflection took it off target.
The Saddlers were creating chances and thought they equalised when Draper pulled the ball back to Hutchinson who looked to have the goal at his mercy but Moulden desperately dragged himself across to make a brilliant save.
Walsall finally drew level on 77 minutes when Hutchinson latched on to a poor kick from Moulden and fired in a beauty from 25-yards out.
That proved to be the last significant piece of action and both teams had to settle for a draw.
Trialist A, Knowles (Foulkes 77’), Farquharson (Williams 77’), Daniels, Hussey, Gordon (Allen 62’); Riley (McEntee 77’), Comley (Stirk 62’), Hutchinson; James-Taylor (Draper 62’), Matt (Maher 77’)
Subs: Onabirekhanlen, Thomas.