Analysis of Swindon 1 Walsall 1

One of the great things in football is the 'what if' question - something Walsall have cornered the market in.

It allows you to delve into the past and take solace from the fact the team could have done this or could have done that.

What if the Saddlers had beaten Yeovil, Gillingham and Charlton at home?

What if they strengthened while a play-off place was in reach - Julian Gray's arrival arguably came two months too late - and what if Steve Jones hadn't missed three months of the season? And that's only for 2009-10.

At this time of term it is hard to avoid considering the different permutations of the year, as only promotion stops the 'what if' debate.

Almost every team in the country can point to the moment which helped to shape their season. The problem with Walsall is there is no crystallising instant in which the year can be defined, there are several.

The season had been in a permanent state of flux, inconsistencies their ultimate undoing. There is always that longing for better, but trying to conjure it from a multitude of maybes is futile.

The cold, hard truth is the Saddlers haven't been good enough to mount a concerted challenge and 19 points - the current gap to the top six - will be very difficult to make up next season.

But results like Saturday, while impressive, are exasperating and only add another 'what if'question to the pile.

Why can't there be this edge for 46 League One games a season? The last two outings have proved the Saddlers have the qualities to mix it with the cream of the division making defeats to Oldham, Hartlepool and Yeovil all the more baffling.

Saturday's point at Swindon officially brought the end to a season which has fired, frustrated and floundered - the Saddlers are mathematically safe. But this year they have been forced to settle for mediocrity.

The management don't want to settle, nor do the players, but the table doesn't lie - slap bang in the middle having won 14 and lost 16.

It is the best - and frankly the only way - to sum up the Saddlers' fortunes this year.

Now, everything is geared towards winning the last three games against Hartlepool, Carlisle and MK Dons - teams who have little but pride to play for.

But while they are considered dead rubbers for this season they can lay the foundations for the next. The summer will undoubtedly bring change with boss Chris Hutchings having already admitted not all of the current squad will win new deals.

The time to impress has run out, but for those who will remain the last three games represents the chance to issue a statement of intent.

Nine points and everyone returns in July still buoyant, following a season which could still end in a morale-boosting 10th place. A point on Saturday keeps them in that particular hunt.

The cases for defeat and victory both carry valid arguments and the Saddlers rode what luck they had but left the County Ground with a deserved point.

At times they were excellent, the midfield pairing of Richard Taundry and Matt Richards snappy with Alex Nicholls and Troy Deeney full of energy.

From the opening stages it was obvious the pressure at the top was getting to Swindon.

The outstanding Clayton McDonald had already headed over before David Lucas had to be at his agile best to keep out the defender's second effort.

Rene Gilmartin also chalked one up for the goalkeepers' union after stopping Charlie Austin in his tracks. Swindon had found a rhythm but the Saddlers continued to edge the half and finally got their rewards courtesy of a defensive error two minutes before the break.

Lucas rolled a ball out which clipped the back of Scott Cuthbert's heels to allow Nicholls to nip in and cross for Steve Jones to sweep in his first goal for five months.

For a change it was the Saddlers benefitting from some defensive generosity but they were well worth the lead, which made the loss of it nine minutes after the break all the more disappointing.

Gilmartin kept out Billy Paynter's header and from the resultant corner Austin bundled in, after Danny Ward's shot had pinballed about.

Swindon swarmed forward and Gilmartin was at his best to deny Jon-Paul McGovern, after the winger let fly from the edge of the area.

But nothing was about to corrode the Saddlers' resolve, as first McDonald and then Smith threw themselves in to thwart the Robins.

Yet, despite the hosts' second-half dominance, it was Walsall who had the best chance late on when Julian Gray stole in and fed Nicholls who, on his weaker foot, dragged his shot across goal.

Deeney - who led the line with all the guile of a seasoned striker - acrobatically volleyed over soon after as the hosts ran out of ideas.

By Nick Mashiter