Matty Fryatt was at last given his first Saddlers start but the 17 year old wonderkid was unable to help the Saddlers to all three points at Vicarage Road.
Fryatt partnered Jorge Leitao with Paul Merson playing just behind the front two in a 4-3-1-2 formation. Ritchie returned from suspension and Simon Osborn came in for the suspended Vinny Samways. Defender Danny Hay had the Saddlers best chance as early as the second minute after a free kick from Merson, but his shot from close in was brilliantly saved by Alec Chamberlain. Walsall took the lead against the run of play five minutes before the interval, when Simon Osborn looped a header in from the edge of the box after a poor punch by Chamberlain.
The Hornets equalised on 61 minutes, when Chris Baird turned a cross from Paul Devlin into his own net. Ten minutes later, Fryatt’s promising performance was brought to an end when he was replaced by Gary Birch. Gary O’Neil had the best chance to snatch all three points after a great ball from Merson but the on loan midfielder was thwarted by Chamberlain with Leitao better placed.