Pictures and report of Walsall 0 Bradford 0

In a game of few clear-cut chances, Tom Bradshaw had the best chance in the first half for the hosts but volleyed straight at keeper Jordan Pickford from Billy Clifford's through ball.

Substitute Aaron McLean had the visitors best opening late on but fluffed his shot and the ball was hacked clear by defender Paul Downing.

And Adam Chambers almost won it at the death for the Saddlers but his drive was kept out by Pickford.

The real concern for manager Dean Smith will be an injury to defender James Chambers which saw him forced off with 20 minutes to go.

And there was something of a shock pre-game when 18-year-old Liam Kinsella was handed his first senior start.

The teenager, who went on to have a fine debut, replaced the injured James O'Connor at right-back.

Clifford was also handed his first start for the club as he came in for James Baxendale in the centre of midfield.

The opening 15 minutes were big in energy but short on chances for either side with Bradford's Mark Yeates and Billy Knott both shooting wide from distance.

When the first real chance did arrive it fell for the Saddlers but Ashley Grimes fired over on the turn from six yards out after Mal Benning's corner had been knocked down by Paul Downing.

Romaine Sawyers then drilled a shot narrowly over the bar from just outside the box.

There was something of a clash of styles, with the visitors looking to get the ball forward quickly and the Saddlers more methodical in their approach play.

The one time Walsall did lump if forward, it almost led to the opening goal as Bradshaw ran on to Clifford's floated pass but his volley was straight at keeper Pickford.

Hanson looked the opposing side's biggest threat and had their best chance to date when he flicked Yeates cross wide of the far post. The latter was also off target with a free-kick as the half ended goal-less.

Andy Taylor was forced into great last-ditch challenge to prevent Mason Bennett running through on goal in the opening two minutes of the second period.

Kinsella then made a vital block to deny the same man after Bradford had broken away from a Walsall corner.

Clifford had Pickford back-peddling with an effort from outside the box which looked like dipping under the bar at one point.

Grimes also had the keeper worried with a snapshot from outside the box which drifted just wide of the far post.

With 20 minutes to go the Saddlers were forced into a substitution as Chambers was forced off through injury.

He was replaced by Dean Holden for his first appearance in a Saddlers shirt for more than a year.

Bradford substitute McLean squandered a golden chance to win it as the game entered the final ten minutes when he got behind the home defence.

Paul Downing recovered to hack the ball away after the striker had nudged it past O'Donnell and goal-bound.

And as the game entered stoppage time, Pickford did superbly to keep out Chambers' drive from the edge of the box, while Grimes also fired over from close range.