The Saddlers came from behind twice to grab a thoroughly deserved point at promotion-chasing Swindon Town.

And Saddlers boss Dean Smith was furious his side were denied a possible win a controversial 75^th minute incident which saw the Saddlers denied a second penalty in the game.

As much as that will irritate Smith, the bigger picture sees Walsall putting together a performance which had a bit of everything – stylish, attacking football mixed with real determination and  defensive organisation.

More of this and Smith’s team are not going to be far away when the season reaches its crescendo in a couple of months.

They had fallen behind in a moment of fortune for Swindon when an Andy Williams shot took a huge deflection off Paul Downing’s attempted block and bounced up and over keeper Aaron McCarey.

That was after 15 minutes and opening efforts from Walsall which saw Febian Brandy and Craig Westcarr fail to take chances.

But they were level with a penalty in the 31^st minute as a near post corner routine fell to Brandy whose back leg was taken away by Tommy Miller as he was about to strike. Will Grigg produced a perfect penalty and Saddlers finished the half looking more than capable of going on to win the game.

Swindon were the more dominant force for the next phase of the game, however, although they needed a misjudgement from McCarey which gave Simon Ferry an easy 80^th minute goal.

Five minutes earlier, Walsall were convinced Grigg had been prevented scoring at the far post by an illegal challenge from Jay McEvely but justice was done with a brilliantly-crafter 90^th minute equaliser.

Paterson pounced with a far post header from a cross by substitute Ashley  Hemmings.

By Martin Swain