Notts County 0-0 Walsall - report: Goalless draw keeps Saddlers top of League Two

Daniel Kanu had the only real chance of note for Walsall when he picked up a loose ball and forced a low save from Kelle Roos early on.

Myles Roberts preserved his clean sheet with an excellent save to thwart Matt Dennis from an acute angle inside the box. 

That result, which extended the Saddlers' unbeaten run to five games in the league, will be enough to keep them top at Christmas unless Swindon Town beat Crawley Town by two or more goals later today.

Mat Sadler made three changes from the draw against Shrewsbury Town, as Lewis Warrington and Charlie Lakin were recalled at the expense of Brandon Comley and Courtney Clarke. 

Jid Okeke immediately returned to the team following his two-game absence with a back injury and replaced Vincent Harper who was not in the squad.

County dominated possession in the first half and had the first sight of goal when Keanan Bennetts swept a long-range shot wide.

The hosts did almost shoot themselves in the foot when a loose pass from Bennetts presented Kanu with his first chance of the afternoon. 

Roos got a strong right hand to his low drive from 20 yards and County skipper Jacob Bedeau prevented Matt from converting the rebound with a crucial clearance. 

Dennis failed to keep his shot down when a low cutback deflected into his path and Ollie Norburn fired off target when he was left unmarked on the edge of the box.

For all of the Magpies' possession, Myles Roberts was called upon just once in the first half and it was a routine save to deny a tame effort from Conor Grant.

Jamille Matt struggled to make an impact in the first half and was replaced by Aaron Pressley at half-time. County also made a change with the introduction of the creative Jodi Jones at left wing-back. 

Very little changed in the first 10 minutes of the second half and Sadler reached for his bench again when he brought on Comley and Jamie Jellis.

County continued to knock at the door and Walsall had the reactions of Roberts to thank for keeping the scores goalless just before the hour-mark. 

Walsall continued to frustrate County who were pushing them deeper and deeper with little reward. Jatta surged into space with an inspired run but sent a tame low shot straight at Roberts.

Next, Walsall welcome local rivals Crewe Alexandra to Bescot on Boxing Day, before hosting Oldham Athletic three days later.

Teams 

Walsall (3-1-4-2): Roberts; Farquharson (Browne 73), Flint, Weir; Warrington (Comley 55); Barrett, Finnigan (Jellis 55), Lakin (Clarke 64), Okeke; Kanu, Matt (Pressley 46).

Not used: Hornby, Adomah.

Notts County (3-4-2-1): Roos; Macari, Platt, Bedeau; Tsaroulla (Gordon 65), Norburn, Iorpenda, Bennetts (Jones 46); Grant (Kouhyar 74), Jatta; Dennis.

Not used: Griffiths, Ness, Hinchy, Traore.

Other details 

Referee: Steve Copeland

Attendance: 11,870 (1,436)