Oldham 1 Walsall 1

Walsall claimed a priceless point against 10-man Oldham to move in to pole position in the race for survival.

Tom Williams' first Walsall goal after 58 minutes – when his free kick drifted in – looked to have given the Saddlers the win.

But Jason Lowe's 88th minute stunner broke their resistance, despite the Latics playing the last 20 minutes with 10 men after substitute Filipe Morais was sent off for a crude lunge on Jordan Cook.

It leaves Walsall a point ahead of Dagenham and Bristol Rovers with two games remaining in League One as the fight gets set to go to the wire.

Will Grigg was recalled for the first time in two months, as Darryl Westlake dropped to the bench in the only change from Saturday's 1-1 draw with Sheffield Wednesday.

Former Walsall loanee Reuben Reid started for Oldham after a January switch to Boundary Park from Albion.

But it was Reid's strike partner Warren Feeney who threatened first as the Saddlers survived a major scare after eight minutes.

The Northern Ireland international ghosted in to smash home after his initial header hit the bar – but was ruled offside.

It was a huge let off and the nervy Saddlers gradually started to find their feet as Jon Macken tested goalkeeper Dean Brill from 30-yards before Grigg headed the resulting corner over.

Neither side exuded confidence or quality in a turgid first half and James Tarkowski summed up the opening when he slashed wide on the half hour.

But the Saddlers carved out two glorious chances within two minutes and should have taken one.

On 32 minutes, Macken burst onto Jordan Cook's through-ball but, after a fabulous first touch, Brill got a hand to his shot and it trickled wide.

Two minutes later, the striker played in Julian Gray but the winger could only drag his shot well wide from the angle.

The Latics were there for the taking and Walsall started the second-half with purpose and could have had a penalty when Dean Furman felled Macken, but referee Darren Drysdale dismissed the claims.

A minute later, Oliver Lancashire headed Matt Richards' corner wide before the Latics came to life and goalkeeper Jimmy Walker came to the Saddlers' rescue.

First, Walker saved Aidan White's 25-yard free kick on 49 minutes before a double save – from point blank range – from Reid.

The former Walsall loanee then screwed wide from seven yards before the Saddlers grabbed the crucial opener.

Cook was fouled 25-yards out on the left and, when Williams clipped in the free kick, it evaded everyone and bounced into the corner.

It was a reward for the Saddlers' bright start to the second half and they were handed another massive boost after Morais was sent off on 70 minutes.

The substitute – who replaced Cedric Evina on 23 minutes – lunged in on Cook from behind with two feet and was rightly dismissed.

But, despite their man disadvantage, the Latics levelled two minutes from time when Lowe smashed in from 25-yards.