Express & Star

Walsall 1 Southend United 1 - Report and pictures

A controversial stoppage time penalty - scored by Aramide Oteh - gave Walsall a lifeline in the League One survival race following a 1-1 draw with Southend.

Published
Last updated

In a crunch relegation six-pointer at the Banks’s Stadium, the Saddlers entered the game knowing they had to end a run of six consecutive defeats.

But after Simon Cox gave the visitors the lead on the stroke of half-time, it seemed as though Martin O’Connor’s side had a foot in League Two.

Elvis Bwomono and Harry Bunn both went on to miss one-on-ones for the visitors.

But having otherwise created very little, Walsall were given a late lifeline where referee Ross Joyce judged that Stephen Hendrie had pulled Oteh back in the box.

And the 20-year-old QPR loanee then showed bundles of character to fire in from 12-yards.

The result means the Saddlers remain 23rd in the table, three points from safety with three games to play.

ANALYSIS

Following Walsall’s dreadful display at Accrington last time out, interim boss O’Connor opted to ring the changes when naming his starting line-up.

In goal, Chris Dunn made his first appearance for the Saddlers in the league with Liam Roberts dropped to the substitutes bench.

There were also recalls for Connor Johnson, Joe Edwards, Corey Blackett-Taylor and Zeli Ismail. It meant O’Connor’s men lined up in a 4-3-3 system with Edwards joining George Dobson and Liam Kinsella in midfield.

Up front, Blackett-Taylor and Ismail operated either side of top scorer Andy Cook.

Southend included ex-Saddler Sam Mantom in their starting XI. He was part of a midfield three with the Shrimpers lining up in a 3-5-2 system that saw Cox partner Harry Bunn up front.

It was Walsall who started the game the brighter of the two teams with O’Connor’s men a whisker away from opening the scoring in the eighth minute.

After a corner was cleared, Luke Leahy whipped in a wonderful ball which Shrimpers keeper Mark Oxley came for but missed.

But Nicky Devlin could only steer a header wide at the back post with the defender probably a touch surprised the ball reached him.

Then just a minute later, Edwards darted at goal before seeing a low drive from 18-yards held by the keeper.

Southend, in their new system, were sitting really deep with Bond’s side often operating with a back five.

But after weathering Walsall’s bright start, they began to grow in stature as the clock ticked towards the half-hour mark. And they then created a glorious chance to open the scoring.

The impressive Sam Hart fizzed a perfect cross right across the face of goal with the delivery met by Cox.

The former Swindon man looked destined to score but Dunn spread himself brilliantly to block the strike with his chest.

All of a sudden, the Shrimpers had Walsall rattled with O’Connor’s men pegged back and struggling to get out.

And on the stroke of half-time, the visitors opened the scoring.

After a long ball forward, Johnson looked to cushion a header back to his keeper.

But he seemingly didn’t realise Cox was behind him with the striker latching onto the ball and rounding Dunn before firing in.

Southend had a shout for a penalty shortly after the restart when Bunn went down in the box under pressure from Dan Scarr but referee Ross Joyce waved play on.

But Walsall were now playing to save their season.

And they almost pulled level just before the hour mark when - following a long throw - the ball fell for Cook but from eight-yards the striker stabbed the ball wide.

In need of something different, O’Connor switched Aramide Oteh for Blackett Taylor with a little over 20 minutes to go.

With time now running out, Walsall’s fans began singing; ‘sack the board.’

But with a little over 10 minutes remaining, Southend should have put the game to bed.

After a swift break, a fortunate bobble saw Elvis Bwomono played clean through on goal.

Incredibly though, just six-yards out, the defender then powered a strike wide when it was easier to score.

The Saddlers had created nothing all half with Oxley barely making a save of note.

And Southend again should have put the game to bed in the 89th minute when Bunn raced through on goal only to see a low drive saved by Dunn.

For all intents and purposes, it looked as though Walsall were heading to League Two.

But they were given a huge and controversial lifeline in stoppage time when referee Joyce judged that Hendrie dragged back Oteh in the box.

Southend were absolutely furious with the decision.

But Oteh showed immense character to score from 12-yards and keep the Saddlers in with a chance of holding onto their League One status.

TEAMS

Walsall (4-3-3): Dunn, Devlin, Johnson, Scarr, Leahy, Dobson, Kinsella, Edwards, Ismail (Norman 77), Cook, Blackett-Taylor (Oteh 68).

Subs not used: Roberts, Laird, Fitzwater, Guthrie, Osbourne.

Southend: (4-4-2): Oxley, Bwomono, White, Turner, Moore, Hart (Hendrie 63), Mantom, Kiernan, Yearwood (Hyam 65), Bunn (Kelman 78), Cox.

Subs not used: Bishop, Hyam, Kightly, McLaughlin, Lennon, Hendrie, Kelman.