Coventry 1 Walsall 1 - Report and pictures

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A Tom Bradshaw goal 10 minutes from time earned Walsall a hard earned point against promotion rivals Coventry at the Ricoh Arena.more

The striker produced a wonderful side-footed finish to ensure the League One clash finished 1-1 after Chris Stokes had given the Sky Blues a first half lead.

That goal came from a free-kick which appeared to have been won after Jacob Murphy dived following a challenge from George Evans.

But Walsall will be delighted with their hard earned point, which sees them remain third in League One, but just two points behind leaders Burton Albion.

In naming his starting line-up, O'Driscoll kept faith with the team that secured the morale boosting 1-0 win over Dean Smith's Brentford.

Sticking with a midfield diamond formation, youngster Liam Kinsella was preferred at right-back over the fit-again Jason Demetriou who had to make do with a place on the bench.

For Coventry, hotshot striker Adam Armstrong started up front with former England international Joe Cole in midfield.

Before kick-off there was a minutes silence in memory of former Sky Blues chairman Mike McGinnity.

Fresh from a weekend without playing, Coventry started on the front foot and registered the game's first chance when Armstrong collected the ball and danced past George Evans and into the box.

The 18-year-old hit a fierce drive that was well-blocked by Paul Downing but the ball came back to the striker who then saw Kinsella sweep in with a wonderful recovery tackle to clear the danger.

Mowbray's side had dominated the opening 20 minutes, but Armstrong's strike was all they had to show for their efforts as Walsall stood firm defensively.

And slowly but surely, O'Driscoll's men began to get their passing game going as they enjoyed a spell of possession around the Coventry box.

But it was the Sky Blues who continued to look the more dangerous with Jim O'Brien playing a dinked ball over the defence that was just too strong for the on-rushing Cole.

Moments later though and the home crowd were celebrating as Coventry took the lead in dubious circumstances when Evans brought down Jacob Murphy.

Despite the Coventry man taking what looked a clear dive, referee Tony Harrington awarded a free-kick wide on the left which Cole took and Chris Stokes headed home.

Walsall responded immediately with Bradshaw rifling a shot from the edge of the box which cannoned back off the post.

And with the game having suddenly opened up, Cole's clever flick saw sent Armstrong galloping towards goal only for the striker to then drag his shot wide.

The second half began with Romaine Sawyers looking to catch out Reice Charles-Cook at his near post but the creative schemer's low strike sailed wide.

But the home side soon restored their authority with two quick fire chances in the space of a couple of minutes.

First, Neil Etheridge had to scramble across his line to turn away an Armstrong strike.

Then the keeper parried Murphy's shot straight into the path of Jim O'Brien who side-footed when he should have scored.

With Coventry still control proceedings, O'Driscoll made a double change on the hour mark with Demetriou and Anthony Forde coming on for Kinsella and Milan Lalkovic.

And move almost proved to be inspired with the Saddlers soon creating their clearest chance of the game.

Forde's whipped in corner was headed on by Mantom with Sam Ricketts then making a superb clearance from his own goal-line as Downing stood waiting to tap the ball home.

The substitutions had lifted the Saddlers but Coventry threatened next when James Maddison's free-kick was palmed away by Etheridge. Armstrong reacted quickest but firing over.

Undeterred, the Sky Blues continued to press with Armstrong bursting through on goal and hitting a low strike which looked destined to nestle in the bottom corner.

But Etheridge was equal to the effort and got down quickly to produce a fantastic one-handed save at full-stretch.

O'Driscoll responded by switching midfielder Evans for striker Jordan Cook.

And with 10 minutes remaining, the Saddlers pulled level thanks to Bradshaw's 13th goal of the season.

Despite having barely had a sight of goal all game, the striker met Rico Henry's ball into the box to calmly side-foot into the net from 12-yards while under heavy pressure from the Coventry defenders.

Shaken, Mowbray's side responded with Armstrong curling narrowly wide from the edge of the box.

And for the last five minutes as well as stoppage time, both teams went in search of a winner but each in the end having to settle for a point.