Wycombe 1 Walsall 1

Alex Nicholls' late leveller snatched a point for Walsall at Wycombe as the Saddlers avoided a deflating defeat.

Wanderers' Ben Strevens went from hero to zero in 45 minutes – firing the hosts ahead before gifting super-sub Nicholls his equaliser.

The Saddlers again struggled for inspiration and were grateful to cash in on Strevens' howler, after being second best after the break.

A draw stretched Walsall's winless run to eight games in all competitions but kept them out of the League One drop zone, as they stay in 19th.

Kevan Hurst and Ryan Jarvis were recalled following Tuesday's Johnstone's Paint Trophy penalty exit at Rochdale, as Nicholls and Claude Gnakpa dropped to the bench.

And Walsall started brightly as Will Grigg's deflected effort looped just over the bar before Hurst tested goalkeeper Nikki Bull from distance.

But it was an opening of few clear cut openings, the teams preferring to feel each other out in a game which was already crucial to both their seasons.

Andy Butler blocked David Winfield's effort and the impressive Kadeem Harris shot over as Wycombe began to find their feet.

Scott Donnelly then ballooned an ambitious volley into the stand, during an insipid first-half devoid of any real excitement.

But Stuart Beavon provided the stand-out moment for Wycombe when his low shot was claimed by Jimmy Walker after 38 minutes, although the Chairboys struggled for ideas.

The Saddlers comfortably batted away Wycombe's attacks but they were as toothless as their hosts, with Grigg and Jarvis failing to make an impression.

Wycombe boss Gary Waddock replaced Martin Rowlands with Strevens at the break as Wycombe sought more impetus and it paid off instantly, as the former Brentford man fired the hosts in front on 50 minutes.

Strike partner Beavon wriggled free on the right and delivered a low centre for Strevens to sweep in from six yards.

Rattled, the Saddlers were pinned back and Butler somehow cleared Harris' cross shot off the line minutes later.

Gnakpa replaced Hurst just before the hour as Walsall floundered but they should have levelled on 64 minutes, when Jarvis planted a free header wide from six yards out.

Nicholls then replaced the striker with the Saddlers were second best and Walker rescued them on 70 minutes, saving a low shot from Beavon.

But the Saddlers hauled themselves level on 82 minutes when Nicholls capitalised on Strevens' short backpass, rounded Bull and tapped in.

It was a shocker for the hosts, but Strevens missed his chance of redemption in injury time when he blazed over from six yards.