Chesterfield 1 Walsall 1

A Jack Lester strike in the last minute scuppered Walsall's hopes of a first win in five games.

The striker pounced on a rebound inside the box to cancel out Alex Nicholls' 29th minute opener, which had looked set to be the decider.

The result will leave both sides still inside the relegation zone at Christmas.

Saddlers boss Dean Smith made just two changes from the side which performed so dismally in Tuesday's defeat to Dagenham, albeit on penalties.

In defence, Andy Butler and Mat Sadler were drafted in for injured Oliver Lancashire, who will be out until the New Year with a torn hamstring and Manny Smith, who was knocked unconscious against the Daggers.

The home side should have opened the scoring within one minute but Craig Westcarr saw his close range effort pushed away by goalkeeper Walker.

At the other end, Butler headed comfortably over from a decent corner six minutes later and Jamie Paterson saw a near post effort deflected past the post.

Macken then drilled agonisingly wide from the edge of the box after good work from Paterson and Peterlin to set him up.

Lee Beevers did well to block a dangerous left wing cross by Dean Morgan as the home side appeared to be building some pressure.

But Alex Nicholls put the Saddlers in front with a predatory strike from Anton Peterlin's pass with 28 minutes gone against the run of play.

At the other end, Westcarr saw a powerful effort well blocked by Andy Butler, before firing the rebound over the bar from a tight angle.

The forward saw another strong effort parried by Walker in the final minute of the half but Walsall led at half-time.

Walker was at it again within four minutes of the restart, denying Westcarr before Alex Mendy fired well over from distance.

Paterson also missed the target at the other end with a tame half volley.

Walsall were becoming hemmed in to their own half and boss Smith replaced Macken with Will Grigg after 62 minutes to revive his side's attack.

Richard Taundry was booked six minutes later after catching Mark Allott on the follow though, having done well to block the player's shot.

The Spireites came within a whisker of an equaliser when Danny Whitaker cannoned a long range effort off the bar from distance 13 minutes from the end.

Andrew Halliday replaced Paterson with 11 minutes left and Mendy was twice more denied by Walker, as the home side pushed hard for an equaliser.

But Lester's late predatory strike ensured the spoils were shared.