Carlisle 1 Walsall 1

Darren Byfield's 10th goal of the season kept Walsall on course for their highest position in six years.

The 33-year-old slid the Saddlers ahead after just two minutes, before former Walsall target Jason Price levelled on 30 minutes.

Richard Taundry, Byfield and Matt Richards all went close – Richards the main culprit after missing a glorious chance at the far post – and Chris Hutchings' men will be disappointed with just a point.

Alex Nicholls was missing from the squad as Byfield replaced him, with the manager keeping faith with the rest of the men who beat Hartlepool 3-1 last weekend.

Mark Hughes returned to the bench after his two game suspension for the Saddlers' final away game of the season.

After just two minutes they took the lead when Troy Deeney played Byfield through and the striker confidently slotted under goalkeeper Adam Collin.

Despite the early action, the atmosphere had all the hallmarks of an end-of-season affair with neither bunch of supporters doing much to raise the stakes.

Deeney skied over from distance but Carlisle had bossed possession since going behind and Richard Keogh was off target with a 21st minute header.

But they drew levell on the half hour when Gary Madine flicked on Adam Clayton's cross for Price to clip past goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin – his first goal against the Saddlers this season in three games for three clubs.

Buoyed by the leveller, the home side pressed and Gilmartin saved from Ben Marshall, but the hosts had started to turn the screw as the visitors struggled to make inroads up front.

Jamie Vincent almost scored a spectacular own goal after hammering wide from 25 yards just before the break.

Mark Hughes replaced Clayton McDonald at the interval and the Saddlers started strongly, with Taundry drilling wide and Richards missing Julian Gray's cross.

Collin spilled Byfield's drive just after hour as the game swung the Saddlers' way, before Hughes was at his best to block Keogh's shot in a rare moment of second-half danger.

Slowly the game slipped into limbo but Richards should have restored the visitors' lead, but headed Gray's cross over with 13 minutes remaining.

Madine then glanced wide with time ticking away, as the teams shared the spoils.