Analysis of Bristol Rovers 2 Walsall 2

It was the point nobody wanted.

In the context of a normal season a 2-2 draw at Bristol Rovers would go down as a job well done.

But after two points from crucial games at Tranmere and Bristol it just doesn't seem enough.

Last night's draw lifted the Saddlers off the bottom of League One and moved them to within seven points of safety, but there was a hollow ring to it.

Deep down they know it should have been three - not only after their dominant first-half - but because they needed the win.

Third-bottom Rovers needed it themselves but their plight isn't Walsall's concern.

Last night marked the halfway stage in the season and the Saddlers have 19 points from 23 games - a stat which, if replicated in the second-half of the campaign, will send them down.

And their biggest Achilles heel this term has been their inability to beat fellow strugglers.

They may have won at Charlton and put up stirring fights at Huddersfield and Sheffield Wednesday, but it means little when they can't win when it matters.

Yes, victories against Carlisle and Plymouth were welcome at the time but concede four points to Tranmere and you're asking for trouble.

The outing at the Memorial Stadium completed the games against the rest of the bottom 10 and the Saddlers' record leaves a lot to be desired - 10 points out of a possible 27.

Walsall have lost too many cheap points this season and almost threw more away last night. They imploded during a horror 60 seconds after the break which almost cost them dear.

Caretaker boss Dean Smith has harnessed the spirit but, after only a week in the job, will know all too well the players' limitations.

Smith is under no illusions, if he wants the top job - a decision he is yet to reveal - he must get wins.

That's not to say it was all doom and gloom. The way Smith's men dominated Rovers in the first-half bodes well for the immediate future.

Will Grigg's first senior goal and the way the team have bought into Smith's philosophies so quickly are also positives. There is a spirit to the side which was absent in the final dark days of the Chris Hutchings era.

They may have failed to win either of the last two games against relegation rivals but the fightbacks will have done little to harm Smith's job prospects - if he wants it.

It's obvious the players are performing for him and if the Saddlers can continue that determination they will give themselves a fighting chance.

Smith made two changes from the 3-3 draw at Tranmere with Julian Gray in for rookie Jamie Paterson and Grigg replacing Steve Jones.

Grigg didn't have to wait long for his goal, arriving unmarked at the near post to turn in Alex Nicholls' fourth-minute centre.

The Saddlers had capitalised on Rovers' uncertain start and there was a lingering tension in the air - despite the Pirates introducing new manager David Penney before the game.

Rovers were struggling and their long ball tactics played into the hands of robust defenders Andy Butler and Manny Smith.

Rovers hardly threatened - until goalkeeper David Bevan saved at the feet of Will Hoskins on 25 minutes.

There was a buzz about the Saddlers. It helped, of course, that Rovers were nothing short of woeful. Time and again they squandered possession.

The poor Pirates were being shown up by their visitors and Grigg saw a header deflected wide before forcing Rovers' Albion loanee Luke Daniels to palm away a dipping volley in the home goal as half-time approached.

But if the Saddlers thought they were going to be in for an easy ride after the break, they were stunned when the hosts netted twice in a minute.

The first, on 53 minutes, was too simple as Hoskins and Kuffour played a neat one-two and, when the latter crossed, Hoskins tapped in his 14th goal of the season.

The second was slightly more stylish as Kuffour - who had only been on the pitch eight minutes - calmly picked his spot from 18 yards.

Suddenly Walsall were staring at a deficit they never should have allowed and Rovers, sensing blood, were revitalised.

Darryl Westlake blocked Jeff Hughes' goalbound effort before Chris Lines scooped over.

Manny Smith was booked for a crude body check on the flying Kuffour - and can count himself lucky it wasn't red - only for Hoskins to slam the resultant free-kick into the wall.

But, with seven minutes left, Lescott bagged his first for Walsall - against the club he left last summer.

A driving run from the left-back saw him exchange passes with Macken before lashing past Daniels from 18 yards.

Now it was the turn of Rovers to sweat as Walsall looked for a winner. Neither team could find one, though, and they are both left to reflect on the points which got away.

By Nick Mashiter