Walsall 1 Carlisle 1

Walsall stretched their winless run to six games after being held to a draw by Carlisle.

Will Grigg's third goal of the season was cancelled out by Matt Robson's stunning free kick as the Saddlers were left hanging on.

Goalkeeper Jimmy Walker's instinctive late save from Lee Miller and Francois Zoko's miss preserved a point after Walsall's first-half promise evaporated.

Oliver Lancashire started with Andy Butler suspended while Ryan Jarvis replaced Jon Macken, with the veteran hitman sidelined with a hamstring problem.

On-loan Derby winger Dave Martin returned to the bench after missing last weekend's 1-0 defeat at Colchester with an ankle injury.

The Saddlers needed a bright start after recent struggles and Jamie Paterson shot over, before goalkeeper Adam Collin comfortably claimed Adam Chambers' scuffed effort and Peter Murphy blocked Will Grigg's header.

But Carlisle, with three wins on the road this term, threatened when Liam Noble and Miller fired off target from 18 yards.

The Saddlers edged the opening period, though, with the bright Paterson their best outlet – although the final ball continued to let Walsall down.

Collin tipped Richard Taundry's dipping effort over after Paterson's trickery but the Saddlers survived a scare when Lancashire blocked Lubo Michalik's drive.

But the Saddlers went ahead on 33 minutes when Paterson, who had been upended by Noble, delivered a perfect free kick from the right for the unmarked Grigg to crash in a far post header.

It was reward for a bright opening with Paterson especially lively and Lancashire and Manny Smith comfortable at the back.

Carlisle created little in a pedestrian first half and Zoko replaced Danny Livesey at the break, as they sought further invention.

And the striker almost made an immediate impact on 47 minutes when his cross was headed back by Rory Loy to the unmarked Noble – but the midfielder's woeful effort was parried by Walker.

It was a huge let off for the Saddlers and Smith had to be alert a minute later to block James Berrett's shot.

But Carlisle, incisive and inventive following a half-time dressing down, levelled on 49 minutes with a rocket from Robson.

There seemed little danger when the defender lined up a free kick 35-yards out but his strike screamed into Walker's top corner.

It rocked the Saddlers and Alex Nicholls replaced Kevan Hurst, as they tried to rediscover the initiative.

Carlisle remained in the ascendancy, though, and Zoko dragged a shot wide before the teams began to cancel each other out.

Paterson continued to threaten but was well shackled by the visitors, who had wised up to his first-half danger.

Lancashire directed a header over, but the Saddlers were left clinging to a point at the death as Carlisle grew in confidence.

Walker preserved the points in stunning style when his reaction stop denied Miller, after the striker connected with Jon-Paul McGovern's cross from six yards.

Zoko stabbed wide with five minutes left, as United looked more likely winners.

But Paterson almost stole the points in injury time, when Collin palmed away his well-struck free kick.