Leyton Orient 1 Walsall 1 - analysis

In the shadow of the Olympic Stadium Walsall made it a photo finish – now their race for gold really begins.

Oliver Lancashire's 94th minute header rescued them after they laboured against 10-man Orient. The race for survival, their golden target, is on and the Saddlers are in the home straight.

Scunthorpe's 4-1 thumping of Wycombe and Yeovil's 2-1 win over Brentford saw the rivals edge ahead and drop the Saddlers back into League One's bottom four.

They still have a game in hand over 20th placed Exeter – who they play in April – but must again play catch-up ahead of tomorrow's visit of Sheffield United.

There were signals of intent from their drop rivals, making Saturday's point all the more vital, but the Saddlers know they cannot draw their way out of trouble. Their 15th of the season could be the most priceless though. Defeat at Orient would have been devastating to the confidence and the momentum Walsall had started to build.

But it keeps the run going, now four games unbeaten, and the relief from the fans to the team was palpable.

They couldn't afford to lose and a point must be seen as a positive result after a subdued performance which belied their previous displays.

Yes, the display was disappointing but the ultimate outcome was not.

Had the Saddlers been offered five points from their three consecutive away games they would have taken them.

Remaining unbeaten is a significant effort, one which should be praised, they needed to take something at Orient for the revival to be taken seriously.

A three-game run was good – four is even better – but Walsall need to extend it to prove they have the staying power in the survival fight.

And their late heroics at Brisbane Road showed they can keep going, handle the pressure and dig results out when all seems lost.

Earlier in the season it was the Saddlers who were tossing away leads and missing the luck but, on Saturday, they enjoyed their slice of good fortune.

Yet make no mistake Walsall dodged a massive bullet.

After Orient were reduced to 10 men before the break – much to culprit Solomon Taiwo's shock – you expected a Churchillian response.

The fans wanted Winston but they got the toy dog and luckily they had Lancashire's goal as insurance.

There looked no way back from Dean Cox's fortuitous opener – when Lancashire and David Grof collided under pressure from Kevin Lisbie. Taiwo's red card – for a high challenge on Florent Cuvelier – seven minutes before the break looked to have swung the game back in Walsall's favour but they failed to take advantage until the death.

Orient – with their two banks of four – did the perfect number on the visitors as the Saddlers' second-half frustrations grew.

And, through that frustration, they lacked the tempo or ideas to hurt the stubborn hosts. Cuvelier was well marshalled by Matt Spring and Jamie Paterson never got going.

Lancashire revealed afterwards Richard Taundry's point-saving corner was 'off the cuff' and admitted there hadn't been enough initiative from the Saddlers.

They lumbered to a point and needed fine stops by Grof from Lisbie and Smith to stay in touch. His save from Smith, after the winger cut inside, in injury time was the precursor to Lancashire's leveller and was just as important as the defender's goal.

Lancashire nodded in Taundry's corner after the midfielder's own drive had been tipped over by the underworked Marek Stech.

It saved a point, kept the run going and ensured the Saddlers keep a semblance of momentum ahead of the Blades' visit.

And everyone is entitled to play badly, the Saddlers aren't in the relegation zone just because they've been unlucky this term.

But the starter's gun has gone off for the final sprint and Walsall must ensure they stay on the League One podium.

By Nick Mashiter