Walsall 0 Rochdale 0

Walsall fought out a dour goalless draw with Rochdale as they failed to find any New Year fireworks.

The result kept the Saddlers in 18th spot in League One - before the later games kicked off - but they did not have the quality to break down the stubborn visitors.

Manny Smith headed against the bar for the hosts after 15 minutes while Harry Bunn also struck the woodwork for Dale after the break.

David Ball was denied a winner by the offside flag midway through the second half but victory for either side would have been unjust.

The Saddlers, unchanged from their Boxing Day win over Sheffield Wednesday, laboured in the second half but could have won it late on only to see forward Claude Gnapka plant a free header over from six yards.

Walsall travel to Bury on Monday.