Walsall 1 Stevenage 1 - analysis

Battered and bruised – but not beaten and broken. Walsall's battle against the drop falters and fluctuates.

Alliteration aside, it was another draw, another point in the Saddlers' fight for survival but not one they would have wanted.

Their 18th draw of the season – just five off the Football League's all-time record – failed to take them out of the bottom four at a time when they need wins.

Results elsewhere kept Walsall in the League One relegation zone with just eight games left.

It's a familiar feeling having barely been above 18th in the last 18 months and the Banks's Stadium was littered with rueful smiles.

Boss Dean Smith professed it was a point gained but many felt it was another chance missed. Walsall can ill-afford to pass up further chances to claim the points they so desperately need.

Taking the lead for the third straight game through Andy Butler's stylish finish gave the Saddlers a platform on which they failed to build.

Walsall have lost a staggering 24 points from winning positions this season – barely counter-balanced by the seven points they have gained when losing – and that's where the problem lies.

Their inability to take advantage and go for the kill has haunted them. If there was a time to rediscover that instinct it is now.

And it was no surprise Michael Bostwick equalised to leave the Banks's unfulfilled and frustrated.

That frustration came, in part, from Stevenage's spoiling tactics – their robust style unsettling the Saddlers and bullying inexperienced midfield pair Florent Cuvelier and Sam Mantom.

The visitors played their part well, they are not chasing promotion because teams find them easy to play against.

In that respect Saturday can be viewed as a point gained but it heaps the pressure on. A win would have seen Walsall escape the bottom four and tomorrow's visit of Colchester, the Saddlers' game in hand, now takes on greater significance.

Smith was at pains to play the game down and his side won't survive or be relegated on the back of tomorrow night. But the underlying feeling is Walsall must win as there are too few points separating the bottom sides. There is little margin for error.

Even if they do draw tomorrow it's advantage Walsall in the race for survival. They will be out of the drop zone, although they know they cannot draw their way out of trouble.

The psychological damage the Saddlers can do to Wycombe, Bury, Rochdale and Chesterfield by winning will go a long way to determining their fate.

It would also tee-up the season-defining double header with Rochdale and Chesterfield next week. Walsall still hold their fate in their hands and – after a hugely disappointing season – they are lucky to have that opportunity.

They are edging closer but time is running out and further missed opportunities will be the death knell.

What has never been in doubt is they can call on skipper Butler in their time of need and the defender's classy opening goal, when he swivelled on Manny Smith's knock-down, should have settled any nerves.

But the Saddlers failed to take control and, slowly, the rough and tumble nature of Stevenage's game unsettled them.

Keeper David Grof had little to do apart from claim Craig Reid's long-range effort before he was beaten by Bostwick's delightful 25-yard strike on the hour.

Walsall's creativity was nullified by Boro's bullies and they relied on sporadic breaks and chances – but still created the best openings. Kevan Hurst planted a header wide just after Bostwick's leveller and sub Emmanuel Ledesma came agonisingly close to winning it when his 87th-minute free-kick smacked the base of the post.

A winner would have been harsh on either side but with the pressure stacking up it's back to the drawing board for the Saddlers.

By Nick Mashiter