Walsall claimed their first away clean sheet in the league since September as they fought out a battling draw against Gillingham at the Priestfield Stadium.

Clayton McDonald almost headed them into an early lead, but the Saddlers were on the back foot for much of the match.

Simeon Jackson and Andy Barcham went close but couldn’t break down the stubborn visitng defence, with McDonald and Manny Smith impressing at the back.

Boss Chris Hutchings named an unchanged line up after their midweek defeat to Norwich, with captain Mark Hughes failing to shake off his virus but Dwayne Mattis recovering from a calf injury to skipper the side.

Walsall settled quickly with McDonald forcing goalkeeper Alan Julian into a smart save after 10 minutes ,but the attack couldn’t find a finishing touch in the ensuing melee.

Smith blocked Jackson’s angled effort soon after, before goalkeeper Clayton Ince comfortably claimed Jack Payne’s 20-yarder.

Rene Howe sliced wide after 22 minutes with the hosts having found a rhythm, although neither side were doing much to inspire.

The Saddlers had little to fear but were unable to conjure up anything, with Darren Byfield and Troy Deeney struggling to make the desired impact.

Gillingham edged the first-half and Jackson should have done better than to shoot straight at Ince, after breaking the offside trap three minutes before the break.

Despite their possession the hosts were there for the taking, but the Saddlers needed to be brave to take all three points.

Deeney and Mattis forced two corners immediately after the break before the stand-in captain’s sloppy pass fell to Andy Barcham, who blazed over from distance.

The hosts should have scored on 56 minutes when Barcham crossed for Howe, only for the on-loan Peterborough hitman to dither and allow Smith to make a timely block.

But the Gills were pressing and Jackson was denied by McDonald’s excellent tackle ,as the hosts made the running but lacked a cutting edge.

Walsall had shown little initiative going forward and had Jamie Vincent to thank for a fantastic late block on Barcham to deny a certain goal.

Then Deeney, Richard Taundry and Mattis all tried to win it in injury time but couldn’t find the target.