Brentford 0 Walsall 0 - analysis

'Size isn't everything' read the T-shirts but Walsall must continue to grow to survive.

The Saddlers paid special tribute to Jimmy Walker in his record-breaking 530th game in reference to the goalkeeper's height and title of his autobiography.

Warming up in shirts organised by captain Andy Butler, they proved it was Walker's day as he became the club's outright record appearance holder.

And, after Saturday's forgettable goalless draw at Brentford, the sub-plot of his achievement took centre stage.

Proud, honoured and humbled were just a few of the words Walker used to describe his monumental achievement as he toppled Colin Harrison at the top of the charts.

It was history in the making and will never be beaten. The 243 Saddlers fans who made the trip, most for Walker rather than the game, saw something very special.

Manager Dean Smith is trying to slam shut the revolving door at Walsall but, regardless, Walker will stand alone – his record set in stone.

The 38-year-old is inextricably linked to the club, his name synonymous with the Saddlers and is one of their greats.

Walker, effervescent as always in post-match dispatches, deserves the plaudits, the honour and the record after his long service.

He joked afterwards he's expecting a statue – like Thierry Henry – outside the Banks's sooner rather than later.

If Walsall could, they would as Walker is revered after almost two decades – with a break in the middle – of service.

He didn't have to return in 2010 but he did. He didn't have to sign a new contract for this season but he did. The record is his but it was not his motivation. His deep love for the club, his profound connection, has driven him towards this Indian summer.

Walker was part of the Saddlers' golden era – winning three promotions and enjoying four seasons in the Championship – which seems unreachable now.

The remit this season is to stay in League One and, with Walker between the sticks, Walsall have every chance.

He is part of a defence which is the eighth-best in the division. There has never been an issue with the Saddlers' rearguard, it's just the meek attack which is the problem.

That he kept a clean sheet was fitting but, in truth, the golden oldie had little to do aside from a textbook stop to deny Clayton Donaldson, after the striker raced clean through in the second-half.

Well shielded by the excellent Manny Smith and Andy Butler, Walker was often reduced to catching practice.

Bees goalkeeper Simon Moore did well to keep out Jon Macken's effort just before the break and he would have been relieved to see Alex Nicholls fluff his lines twice late on.

Nicholls should have capped a promising, if incomplete, performance with a goal and therein lies the Saddlers' problem.

Just 25 goals in 26 games is the second-worst in the league. They have a solid base to build on but not enough to back it up.

They are out of the drop zone on goal difference – thanks to Walker and his sturdy defence – and are the division's draw specialists with 12.

There is no doubt they are hard to beat but, with just four league victories all season, they are finding it tough to win.

Saturday's point is, on paper, a decent result and the Saddlers proved once again they can compete. But competing is no longer enough, they must be better and make the chances count against sides as average as the Bees. All the back-slapping after gritty draws will look foolish should they succumb to relegation.

This was a game they could have easily won after recovering from a slow start.

Macken should have scored before the break but, on two occasions, Mat Sadler and Walker needed to be precise to stop Donaldson after he broke clear.

Brentford, eighth in League One, looked anything but play-off contenders as the Saddlers coped with muted second-half threats.

But it was Walker's day and it is his record. An inspiration for so many years, the Saddlers can only hope he continues to be.

By Nick Mashiter