Carlisle 1 Walsall 1 - analysis

Michael Ricketts' 84th penalty claimed a share of the spoils for Walsall at Carlisle last night during a non-event of a game where both teams needed a win.

Carlisle were looking to distance themselves from the drop zone, while Chris Hutchings' side still harbour distant League One play-off ambitions.

But, rather than being upwardly mobile, the Saddlers are stagnating in mid-table and even the eternal optimist would be hard pressed to utter the words "play-offs" and "realistic" in the same sentence.

Collecting two points from trips to Hartlepool and Carlisle would represent a good bit of business for a relegation threatened side but not for those still hoping for a top six finish.

The result leaves the Saddlers in 12th, 13 points off the coveted sixth place. They need more than solitary points.

It's not impossible, we have to say that, but it's unlikely.

Walsall's resilience last night has to be praised. They didn't crumble under pressure and the introduction of Ricketts and Sam Williams on the hour had the desired affect as they sparked a fightback.

But had Sofiene Zaaboub not jinked into the area, Paul Thirlwell not dangled a leg and the Frenchman not hit the deck the Saddlers would have left with nothing.

Substitute Ricketts buried the resulting spot-kick to claw a point which the visitors rarely looked like rescuing with the final killer touch lacking.

In theory, the hosts should have been out of sight by half-time after Danny Graham, Joe Anyinsah, Cleveland Taylor and Lewis Neal all squandered golden opportunities.

Thirlwell took arguably the hardest chance, rifling in off the bar to give the hosts a 20th minute lead which should have been the base for three points.

It was against the run of play but a glut of chances followed to keep Rene Gilmartin, deputising for Clayton Ince on international duty with Trinidad and Tobago, on his toes.

Gilmartin was quickly called into action, saving well from debutant Neal after Anyinsah found him in space in a fleeting bout of Carlisle pressure, but there was a sense they were there for the taking.

Low on confidence after two wins in 13 games, the hosts squandered possession and the Saddlers thought they had taken the lead when Jabo Ibehre bundled in Mark Bradley's header after 13 minutes but the midfielder had already been given offside.

Walsall were beginning to dictate proceedings, although they lacked the killer punch, but they were dealt a huge blow on 20 minutes when the hosts took a spectacular lead.

Neat play from Neal was ended by Rhys Weston and the ball fell to Thirlwell, 22-yards out.

The Cumbrians' captain looked up and lashed the ball in off the underside of the bar with Gilmartin helpless.

Despite their solid start the Saddlers found themselves behind and Carlisle took the game to their visitors.

Graham flicked on Evan Horwood's centre to an unmarked Taylor who slashed wildly over from six yards – as let offs go, they don't come much bigger.

The Saddlers didn't heed the warning, despite Bradley's header being tipped over by Ben Williams.

Carlisle looked shaky at the back and the visitors were guilty of not punishing a defence which had conceded 47 goals this season.

Deeney and Ibehre were dropping deep as they found space with ease and Nicholls was pushing forward to support the duo but the killer instinct was missing.

Attacking

Hutchings' men had seen plenty of the ball in the first half an hour but the hosts were attacking on the counter and should have doubled their lead on 32 minutes.

Graham found Anyinsah, who was becoming increasingly influential, he in turn fed it back, but instead of rippling the net former Middlesbrough striker Graham scuffed horribly wide.

The Cumbrian strike duo combined again five minutes later as Anyinsah prodded wide and Neal blazed over as Saddlers continued to ride their luck.

An impressive Walsall opening had given way to a sub-standard performance which cried out for some ingenuity up front and some composure at the back.

While Ibehre and Deeney dropped deep there was no-one to pick up the scraps which came from the United defence.

Nicholls and Zaaboub were becoming increasingly isolated and when crosses did come in they failed to find their target.

An improvement was needed in the second half and while they were tighter at the back, chances were at a premium.

The teams became bogged down in a midfield battle with the ball flirting briefly with the respective areas.

There was plenty of effort but just a little flash of excitement as the Saddlers appeared to have too many water carriers and not enough inspiration.

After a drab opening to the second half Hutchings introduced Ricketts and Sam Williams for Ibehre and Deeney.

Their presence added more drive and Bradley headed wide from close range after Ricketts had nodded down Nicholls' cross.

There was at least a little more about the Saddlers and Nicholls was finding more space down the right but his deliveries were just evading his colleagues.

The second half had degenerated into a slow slog which was heading Carlisle's way before Zaaboub's and Ricketts' intervention.

The French winger breezed past two challenges on his way into the area and was tripped by the trailing leg of Thirlwell.

Up stepped Ricketts to do what he does best from 12 yards, six minutes from time.

It was a goal which the Saddlers never looked like getting from open play and while Zaaboub went over theatrically, they all count.

Carlisle then countered and Gilmartin saved Thirlwell's drive before Bradley almost rivalled his effort as his stunning volley brushed the post two minutes from time.

By Nick Mashiter.