Sheffield Wednesday 2 Walsall 2 - analysis

The programme at Hillsborough had Walsall relegated last season.

The stats pack in Sheffield Wednesday's pre-match read had the Saddlers failing to beat the drop and finishing 21st in the final dispatches.

As we know, they survived by a point and after last night's 2-2 draw they may well do again. The result may not tell the whole story of a thrilling game – Gary Madine's 95th minute equaliser cancelling out Jamie Paterson's wonderful goal which put Walsall 2-1 ahead – but when the dust has settled it could be key.

The disappointment was palpable, the Saddlers were so, so close to a stunning win after Jon Macken and Paterson twice fired them ahead.

Ryan Lowe and Madine – with virtually the last touch – ensured a draw and left Walsall back in the League One relegation zone.

But it was a bonus point, one which many outside of the squad didn't expect them to take. Their valiant, battling efforts deserved something and while they slipped back into the relegation zone there are yet again plenty of positives to cling to.

Just one defeat in eight games is a respectable run for a struggling team and taking something from Hillsborough should boost confidence once the disappointment dissipates.

How they react to another disappointment will be crucial though. It is a serious test of character after back-to-back away games yielded just a point and a large slice of frustration.

Now Stevenage and Colchester come to the Banks's and with third bottom Rochdale to follow a week Saturday the next three games will define the Saddlers' season.

There is no room for manoeuvre now and while Walsall can still claim to be in the box seat by virtue of their game in hand they must start winning.

They cannot – and will not – draw their way out of trouble after their 17th of the season. On reflection it was a fair result but one which does neither team any favours in their respective ambitions.

Wednesday want to get out of the division, Walsall want to stay in it but after a draw they are both worse off.

And to improve his side's position boss Dean Smith made two changes with Manny Smith in for Oliver Lancashire and Paterson replacing Emmanuel Ledesma.

But, understandably, the Saddlers were under pressure immediately and Lowe wasted Wednesday's best early opening when he fired over unmarked after Lewis Buxton's free kick was only half cleared.

The Saddlers found it hard against the in-form Owls, who had won three on the bounce since ex-Wolves boss Dave Jones took over.

Wednesday, confident and composed, pressed and Antonio clipped the bar with a stunning 30-yard drive.

It wasn't the Saddlers were playing badly they just hadn't been given a chance to impose themselves.

And on-loan Reading winger Antonio underlined his threat again on 26 minutes when his fierce angled effort rattled the bar.

Wednesday started to open the Saddlers up with Florent Cuvelier's effort from distance the sum total of the visitors' attacking efforts.

But Walsall would have been content with their start as the Hillsborough masses uncomfortably jeered the Saddlers' tenacity.

Slowly they built their own momentum and Alex Nicholls wasted a glorious 35th minute opening when he failed to connect properly with Paterson's cross just five yards out.

The Saddlers had not just come to lie down and Smith nodded Kevan Hurst's cross into the side netting.

Thirteen minutes after the break Walsall had bided their time, fought their way into the game and struck with a goal of real quality. Mat Sadler fed Cuvelier and the midfielder's precise cutback was slammed in by Macken from 10 yards.

But the lead lasted just two minutes when Lowe's shot crept in after the Saddlers failed to clear a corner.

It roused the agitated hosts and the shaky Grof denied Antonio and got lucky after clattering into Madine in the area before Paterson struck with a moment of magic.

The winger had been well shackled but he finally wriggled free on the right of the area and unleashed an unstoppable angled drive into the roof of the net.

Paterson hadn't scored since his first Saddlers goal in the 1-1 draw at Huddersfield in November and his strike drew applause from the Wednesday fans. It was that good.

It rocked the hosts and when Grof saved from Antonio with 14 minutes left you thought it might be the Saddlers' night.

But, five minutes into stoppage time Madine struck after Butler had brilliantly blocked from Chris Lines.

A point is good, three would have been wonderful but a bonus point is always worth more than the regular ones.

By Nick Mashiter