Home matches have tended to follow the same pattern this season; playing against teams we would hope to beat, Walsall take an early lead before missing numerous chances to make the game safe. Then after half time, we sit back and defend for our lives. Usually we hold out for around 42-43 minutes of the second half before conceding and losing two vital points. Cardiff, Reading and now Crewe have left Bescot with more points than they should – and Walsall have now failed to win since Boxing Day. Jorge Leitao had put Colin Lee’s men ahead but defender Stephen Foster netted an 85th minute equaliser.
Kris Taylor was rewarded for his debut goal last week with a place back on the bench as Simon Osborn returned and Ian Roper was also brought straight back in for Matt Carbon. Merson was absent, Birch forced out onto the wing and Wales given a full debut.
Leitao opened the scoring after 27 minutes, sliding home captain Osborn’s cross for his eighth of the season. He almost doubled the lead moments later, bursting from half way and – after Clayton Ince had palmed away his first attempt – heading the rebound goalwards only to see it cleared off the line.
Andy Petterson, playing probably his last game for the Saddlers, then made a great save to keep Walsall ahead when he stretched to turn a header over from Dean Ashton. However, Crewe came out strongly in the second half with Ben Rix and Billy Jones firing shots goalwards. Petterson then did well to palm out a wickedly deflected shot from distance and was grateful to see the linesman’s flag raised when the rebound was bundled in by a posse of away players. The Saddlers then scrambled two efforts off the line, through a combination of Birch and Ritchie and then Samways, as Alex pressed for a point.
Matias replaced the injured Leitao before Crewe grabbed the equaliser; full back Wright punted a hopeful ball into the box and Petterson came rushing out but was beaten to the ball by Foster who headed the ball into the unguarded net.