The Blues extended their unbeaten run to four following a hard-fought point against the league leaders.
Mark Hughes made one change from Thursday’s win at Barrow - Aaron Hayden entered the starting line-up in place of Cameron Harper and Jordan Jones also returned to the bench.
Taylor Allen opened the scoring after firing home at the near post, prior to the returning Hayden restoring parity for the hosts with a header following a towering leap midway through the first-half.
The Blues had an early shout for a penalty waved away by referee Paul Marsden after Matthew Dennis was brought down in the Saddlers’ area on 3 minutes.
Walsall broke the deadlock at the opposite end four minutes later - Ryan Stirk’s lofted pass found Taylor Allen, who converted powerfully at Gabe Breeze’s near post.
After winning successive corners on 22 minutes, Aaron Hayden leapt highest and turned home the second corner brilliantly, nodding into the far corner to level proceedings.
The equaliser gave the hosts a massive lift both on the pitch and in the stands. Elliot Embleton was next to try his luck, however, his shot from distance was off target.
On 37 minutes, Albert Adomah had a chance to give the visitors the lead once again. A short free-kick found the veteran on the edge of the box but he lifted his shot over the Cumbrians’ crossbar.
Charlie Lakin had the final chance of the first-half, driving an effort towards the top corner which was clawed away well by Gabe Breeze.
HALF-TIME: United 1-1 Walsall
Mark Hughes’ side had a fine chance to take the lead shortly after the restart, Terell Thomas’ cross from the left found Embleton, whose shot was saved and Matthew Dennis was unable to connect on the rebound.
After scoring in the first-half, Hayden was on hand with defensive duties on 55 minutes, heading behind for a corner which came to nothing for the Saddlers.
On the hour-mark, Lakin was causing a threat once again - this time seeing his shot rattle the post.
10 minutes later, Adomah looked to fire a low cross across the box to the arriving Jamille Matt, but Breeze was out swiftly to claim.
The game entered a lull in the 10 minutes that followed, with neither team able to forge a big opening in front of goal.
In the second minute of stoppage time, Walsall were piling on the pressure but Breeze was alert to make a stop.
Before Cedwyn Scott came so close to lifting the roof off Brunton Park in the game’s final chance following a rapid United counter down the right.
In the end, the Blues had to settle for a draw - a well-deserved one against the league leaders.
FULL-TIME: United 1-1 Walsall
Teams:
United - Breeze, Davies, Thomas, Lavelle ©, Hayden, Guy (80’ Patching), Dennis (80’ Wearne), Scott, Harris, Whelan (67’ Vela), Embleton (67’ Jones)
Unused subs - Lewis, Hugill, Ellis
Walsall - Simkin, Barrett, Gordon, McEntee, Lakin, Matt © (90’ Johnson), Allen, Jellis, Stirk, Okagbue, Adomah (74’ Amantchi)
Unused subs - Hornby, Comley, Chang, Williams, Weir
Goals:
United - (22’ Hayden)
Walsall - (7’ Allen)
Yellow cards:
United - (60’ Embleton), (85’ Hayden), (90’ Davies)
Walsall - N/A
Red cards:
United - N/A
Walsall - N/A
Match officials:
Referee - Paul Marsden
Assistant Referee - Thomas Cooke
Assistant Referee - Jonathan Wyatt
Fourth Official - David Holmes
Attendance:
6,378 (301 away)
