Walsall’s survival hopes hang in the balance after a nervy draw with Sheffield Wednesday.

The fourth-bottom Saddlers failed to find the win, which would have taken them out of the League One drop zone, despite Jon Macken’s early opener.

Neil Mellor levelled after 26 minutes and the disjointed Saddlers – who were poor going forward – lived dangerously from then on.

Gary Madine should have won it for Wednesday, but instead saw his header bounce into the ground and over 20 minutes from time.

The Saddlers defended stoutly but now head for Oldham on Easter Monday locked on 44 points, with fifth-bottom Dagenham & Redbridge and third-bottom Bristol Rovers.

Oliver Lancashire replaced Clayton McDonald, out for the season with a dislocated shoulder, while Darryl Westlake returned for Marco Gbarssin.

Giles Coke tested goalkeeper Jimmy Walker but then the Saddlers turned the screw early.

Marc Laird’s deflected effort was parried by goalkeeper Richard O’Donnell, before Andy Butler’s header trickled wide after being touched by a covering Wednesday defender.

From the resulting corner,ordan Cook headed over but the hosts didn’t have to wait long for the opener on 10 minutes.

Julian Gray swung over a deep cross which came off Taundry and fell invitingly for Macken to ram in from seven yards.

The striker almost doubled the lead on 25 minutes when he sent a 20-yarder over but, 60 seconds later, the Saddlers were pegged back.

Lewis Buxton wriggled free on the left and when Walker parried his effort Mellor managed to net from six yards – despite failing to get a clean connection.

The Saddlers lost their early drive and, with Wednesday pressing, struggled to contain them.

Gone was the tempo and crisp passing, as the nervy football returned to disrupt the Saddlers’ rhythm.

Cook fired just wide after the half hour and the hosts survived a major scare on 35 minutes, when Mellor almost deflected Butler’s defensive header in.

The visitors smelt blood and brought on the more attack minded Jermaine Johnson for Coke at the break.

Madine headed wide on 53 minutes, as Walsall started the second half slowly and Walker had to be alive to keep out Buxton’s low effort soon after.

It was too easy for Wednesday as the Saddlers midfield failed to take control – therefore depriving Macken and Cook of any service.

Gray twice fired wide, but the powder-puff nature of the Saddlers’ attacks failed to cause Wednesday any serious trouble.

The lack of movement hampered Walsall but they strung together the best move of the game on 67 minutes, when Matt Richards and Cook broke away to find Taundry but his lay-off was volleyed just wide by Macken.

It was a rare attack from the disjointed Saddlers and they should have fallen behind on 70 minutes when Madine – unmarked four yards out – headed into the ground and over.

Darren Byfield replaced Westlake as Walsall tried to find some attacking impetus, but it was Wednesday who were the greater threat.

The Saddlers mounted a late rally but couldn’t find a priceless winner.