Oldham 1 Walsall 1 - match report

Young striker George Bowerman grabbed a late equaliser at Boundary Park to hand Walsall their first League One point of the season.

The Saddlers man pounced on a suicidal backpass from Oldham captain Dean Furman to draw his side level after David Grof's error had given Oldham a half-time lead.

The Walsall keeper allowed a long-range shot from Youssouf M'Changama to creep under his body and into the net on 36 minutes but Paterson's cool, late finish spared the Hungarian's blushes.

Walsall threatened first when Paterson picked out a darting run from Ashley Hemmings after a quick break but he was tackled well just inside the box by Furman.

But moments later Jordan Slew went inches away for Oldham with a shot from the edge of the area after he had caught Latics old-boy Dean Holden in possession.

Walsall went close when Hemmings held off James Tarkowski and teed up Will Grigg but he sent a left-footed shot high and wide.

And the striker sent another shot just wide after smart play on the break by Paterson and Florent Cuvelier.

But Oldham began to take control and they claimed the lead on 36 minutes.

Grof appeared to have saved M'Changama's 25-yard shot but the ball somehow ricocheted off the ground and the body of the Walsall keeper and rebounded into the net.

Oldham gained in confidence and were on top at the end of the first half.

But they could have been pegged back nine minutes after the restart when keeper Alex Cisak spilled a Paterson free-kick with the ball dropping agonisingly just the wrong side of the post for Walsall's liking.

The Saddlers piled on pressure in the second half but rarely looked like testing Cisak until Furman presented them with a gift 10 minutes from time.

He aimed a backpass towards his keeper but failed to spot Bowerman, who seized on the ball and beat Cisak with a cool, low finish.

And Paterson might have grabbed a winner for the Saddlers on 86 minutes when he cut into the box and fired just wide of the far post.

By Steve Madeley