Walsall were forced to settle for a point after a bore draw against Crystal Palace at Bescot today. The Saddlers just couldn’t find that all important goal and the game finished on a sour note as full back Chris Baird was sent off in the final match of his loan spell from Southampton.
Thomas Myhre denied Steve Corica from close range after nine minutes and Darren Wrack headed over when he should have scored before Myhre again denied Corica. The Saddlers were denied a penalty by referee Tony Leake – who didn’t get much right – after Gary Birch was hauled down inside the area by Popovic. Thankfully Leake did spot Dougie Freedman’s blatant dive in front of the Purple Stand moments later and the Scot was booked.
The Eagles almost took the lead, however, in the 37th minute when Jimmy Walker palmed Ben Watson’s free kick into the path of Butterfield but Walker then somehow kept out the rebound with a fabulous block.
Walsall pressed for the winner in the second half but Birch headed Merson’s cross wide from a tight angle. Lee then sent on new signing Tony Dinning for his debut before Baird was harshly sent off after innocuously tripping former Blues danger-man Andrew Johnson for a second time.