Walsall 0 Norwich 0 - Verdict
Walsall's search for a goal continued but they claimed an impressive point with an excellent display at Norwich.
Michael Nelson saw his second-half header disallowed for the hosts and Darren Byfield went close for the Saddlers in their third goalless draw in a week.
But, while it was a third consecutive clean sheet, it was a fourth successive game without a goal for Walsall – a streak they rarely looked like breaking at Carrow Road.
Manager Chris Hutchings kept faith with the same team who went out of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy on penalties to Bury in midweek.
And the Saddlers had an early scare when Jens Berthel-Askou sent a header wide and Paul McVeigh volleyed over as Norwich started the game strongly.
But it was a sedate opening from both sides, despite Byfield shooting wide from an acute angle and Dwayne Mattis heading over from Jamie Vincent's cross after 14 minutes.
There were the first murmurings of discontent from the home faithful, as the Saddlers started to frustrate the hosts.
Troy Deeney was looking lively and bamboozled Nelson before shooting over and then Byfield headed over after excellent work from Peter Till, Darryl Westlake and Mattis.
There was no urgency from either side – but with the onus on the hosts to attack Walsall were content to sit back.
The hosts came out for the second half quickly and Simon Lappin shot wide, before Byfield wasted the best chance of the game when he turned Nelson but couldn't find the finish.
The Saddlers breathed a sigh of relief after 61 minutes when Nelson crashed in a header from McVeigh's corner, but the goal was disallowed for a push on Clayton McDonald.
The Canaries were now on top and - with 20 minutes left - City substitute Cody McDonald skipped away from Manny Smith, but the defender produced a stunning block before Clayton McDonald mopped up.
It was a warning for the Saddlers but they were a danger themselves, as Byfield excelled on the right and his cross was pushed away by goalkeeper Fraser Forster, as Jens Bethel-Askou just beat the on rushing Matt Richards.
The game was slowly edging towards its conclusion, as the Saddlers held on for a well deserved point.
