Walsall 0 Gillingham 0 - Verdict
Excitement took the day off at the Banks's Stadium as Walsall and Gillingham fought out a boring goalless draw.
Gills striker Mark McCammon had a goal disallowed for handball early on, while the Saddlers only threatened Simon Royce in the away goal through Steve Jones' first-half effort.
There was little conviction from either side and groans of indifference met the final whistle, for those still awake.
Stephen Roberts made his first League One start since December replacing Mark Hughes – out with a hip injury –with Dwayne Mattis skippering the Saddlers.
Club captain Rhys Weston was again kept on the bench by rookie Daryl Westlake, while the returning Darren Byfield made the bench against one of his former clubs.
Referee Karl Evans saved Ince's after four minutes when he allowed McCammon's strike to slip through his legs, but it was disallowed for handball.
Curtis Weston volleyed over at the far post for Gillingham and Simeon Jackson's impudent flick cleared the bar after 14 minutes, as the visitors created the first openings.
The Saddlers had been afforded possession in the early stages, but lacked any urgency and drive to threaten and Gillingham began to edge the contest.
McCammon headed straight at Ince on the half hour and while Gillingham were the more creative, there was little to suggest the deadlock would be broken.
After 40 minutes the Saddlers had their first attempt, Jones shooting Royce, but the effort summed up a half which lacked conviction.
Those hoping the tempo would rise after the break were left disappointed, as the game plodded along at the same pedestrian pace as before.
Danny Jackman tried his best to create some excitement, but overran the ball after being put through by Weston.
It was desperate stuff and perhaps expected, with neither side having won since the opening day of the season.
A malaise enveloped the Banks's, but Jackson forced Ince into a smart save when he burst clear.
Roberts' injury jinx struck again, as he limped off and was replaced by Rhys Weston after 69 minutes.
But Byfield's introduction for Peter Till soon after got the afternoon's biggest cheer.
Sam Parkin curled one just wide with 10 minutes remaining, as the game thankfully ended.
