Analysis of Walsall 1 Oldham 1

As gestures go it was big for Walsall.

The Saddlers fans rose and applauded at the final whistle in an all-too rare moment of solidarity during a season which has left them wondering whether they are in purgatory.

But, after a 1-1 draw with Oldham last night, a little pride returned to those long-suffering supporters - even if it was tinged with false hope.

With just four victories in all competitions, the Banks's Stadium hasn't been a happy place this season.

In-fighting and backbiting took precedence over football as the Saddlers' popularity plummeted during Chris Hutchings' reign.

Perhaps there is still a hangover as just 3,247 - the second lowest League One crowd of the season - watched as their team injected some passion back onto the terraces.

It was refreshing to see the players and fans feeding off each other, rather than being two different entities. If the players deserve it they will get the plaudits and their efforts last night were recognised by a meagre crowd.

There is no one reason for the drop in attendance - many will offer several perfectly understandable arguments - but manager Dean Smith deserves support. He cannot turn around a 26-week-old season in 22 days.

It's hard to see those stay-aways returning while chairman Jeff Bonser remains in situ - indeed the irony isn't lost on anyone that he is now the highest profile absentee - but if some could swallow their pride for Smith it would make such a difference.

In the main, results dictate fans' mood but when the club is at its lowest ebb unity - at least with the manager and the team - must be constant.

For now though, the club is on its knees and it is hard to see them recovering from their current position at the bottom of League One, even after a morale-boosting point.

With the games remaining, there is time but when a team has won just three of its last 23 League One outings talk, however admirable, is cheap.

Smith and his men must remain defiant but, privately, it will be difficult.

Last night's draw may have ensured they didn't lose any ground on their relegation rivals, but it must also be viewed as a chance missed.

For the last three years, 50 points has been the minimum for survival and, only this week, relegation rivals and Saturday's visitors Bristol Rovers set a target of 56 to be sure of League One football next term.

The Saddlers have 20 games to beat the drop and 60 points available. They must get at least half to stand a chance.

Which is why, when they create so many openings, they must take them. Goals win games and goals mean points and prizes - namely, staying in the league.

As it was they had to settle for a point, but it could have been so different had the Saddlers taken just one of their first-half chances.

Alex Nicholls forced goalkeeper Ben Amos into a sharp stop inside the first 70 seconds, before Will Grigg was thwarted for a first time.

The luckless Jonathan Macken was the next to be frustrated by Manchester United loanee Amos, who turned the striker's low 20-yard effort wide.

Immediately, it was Walsall goalkeeper Jimmy Walker's turn to save, from Chris Taylor after the striker danced his way through the hosts' midfield.

But clear-cut chances were at a premium as the home support became more than a little bit frustrated with the lack of progress.

Amos saved Grigg's stabbed effort on 26 minutes, before Oumare Tounkara slashed wide after Taylor survived a loud handball shout.

It highlighted the Saddlers' defensive woes but they should have gone ahead eight minutes before the break.

It was becoming a personal duel between Grigg and Amos and the goalkeeper denied the striker for a third time after he burst onto Matt Gill's pass.

But, 90 seconds later, the Saddlers were behind when their defensive frailties returned to haunt them yet again.

They failed to clear a corner and, after a set of head-tennis, Filipe Morais received the ball on the left of the area, moved inside and steered a low drive past Walker from 20 yards.

It could have been worse, immediately after the break, had Oliver Lancashire not stopped Kieran Lee in his tracks.

And Tounkara should have doubled the Latics' advantage on 58 minutes but chipped wide after Lancashire's slip.

The on-loan Sunderland striker was to rue the miss as the Saddlers equalised three minutes later when Gill's long throw was knocked down to Darryl Westlake, 18 yards out, who unleashed a rasping drive into the corner.

On balance, it was what Walsall deserved but Lancashire maintained parity with an excellent last-ditch block on Dean Furman.

Yet it was the Saddlers who had momentum as Andy Butler, twice, and Nicholls went close as the killer goal eluded them.

Butler then felt he should have had a penalty after falling under Neal Trotman's challenge and Paul Marshall headed over at the death.

A winner would have been the best gesture of all - but Walsall had to settle for their fans' appreciation.

By Nick Mashiter