Walsall 1 Bradford 1 - Report and pictures

Walsall and Bradford had to make do with a share of the spoils after playing out a keenly contested 1-1 draw at the Banks's Stadium, writes Joe Masi.[gallery]

In what was a well matched clash between two even sides, the Saddlers took the lead just after half-time when Isaiah Osbourne netted his first goal for the club.

But Jordy Hiwula came back to haunt his former side, with the striker netting an equaliser just four minutes later.

After slipping to back-to-back defeats to Fleetwood and Oldham, boss Jon Whitney will be delighted with his sides battling display with Osbourne, Adam Chambers and Jason McCarthy particularly impressive.

The result leaves Walsall sitting 16^th in the League One table with the team next in action at Oxford on New Years Eve.

Whitney sprung a surprise in naming his starting XI, with top scorer Erhun Oztumer named amongst the substitutes as the Saddlers switched to a traditional 4-4-2 formation.

The system saw Joe Edwards start on the left of midfield in a bid to nullify the threat of winger Mark Marshall – with Flo Cuvelier on the right and Adam Chambers and Isaiah Osbourne central.

For Bradford, Jordy Hiwula – who scored 12 goals in two separate loan spells with the Saddlers –started up front alongside James Hanson.

The Bantams entered the clash having lost just three times since Stuart McCall returned as manager.

And they came a whisker away from breaking the deadlock inside the opening five minutes - with Neil Etheridge producing a fantastic stop to prevent his side from falling behind.

James Meredith's left-wing cross somehow found its way to Marshall eight yards out. But the winger's ferocious half-volley was spectacularly tipped over by the Philippines international.

That chance aside, the opening half hour proved an even and entertaining battle with Osbourne in particular looking lively for the Saddlers in the middle of the park.

Both teams seemed to be enjoying five minute spells where they were on top but with each defence looking organised and resolute.

And it took Bradford until the 40^th minute to threaten again. A corner was worked to Josh Cullen in the box but the West Ham loanee saw a crisp drive well beaten away by Etheridge.

Walsall responded with some fine build-up play ending with Osbourne teeing up Bakayoko on the edge of the area.

The striker hit a powerful effort towards goal but the ball was bravely blocked by Nat Knight-Percival. From the resultant corner, Matt Preston flashed a header wide of the post.

Bradford made a change at the interval with Stephen Darby replaced by Marc McNulty as McCall switched from a 4-4-2 formation to a 4-2-3-1.

It was the Saddlers though who took the lead early in the second thanks to Osbourne's first goal for the club.

A swift counter saw Jackson burst forward before finding Scott Laird wide on the left.

And the defender's cross was eventually collected by Osbourne who shifted the ball onto his left foot before driving it into the bottom corner from 10-yards.

Bradford worked themselves a glorious chance to pull immediately level.

A low cross look destined to be side-footed home by Hiwula but the striker got his timings wrong and completely missed the ball when he should have scored.

Within minutes though, Hiwula made up for the error and pulled his side level thanks, in part, to a huge slice of good fortune.

After being played in one-on-one, Etheridge did well to block the striker's effort. But the ricochet hit Matt Preston and then bobbled to Hiwula who drove home from a tight angle.

In what was now an open and entertaining game, Walsall came a whisker away from getting back in front when Jason McCarthy rose highest from a corner but saw his header cleared off the line.

Whitney introduced Andreas Makris for Jackson with 10 minutes remaining. Oztumer then replaced Bakayoko.

Both teams went in search of a winner in the closing stages.

But it was the Saddlers who almost got it, with Osbourne whipping the ball into the six-yard box and a Bradford defender just getting enough on the ball to stop Franck Moussa tapping home from close range.

Key moments

4 Neil Etheridge produces a terrific save to tip over Mark Marshall's fierce near-post drive.

14 Scott Laird tries his luck with a free-kick from 25-yards but it's comfortable for Colin Doyle.

39 Bradford work a corner to Josh Cullen with the West Ham loanee seeing a well-struck shot beaten away by Etheridge.

41 Fine build-up play sees Isaiah Osbourne tee up Amadou Bakayoko but the striker's powerful effort deflects wide.

42 From the resultant corner, Matt Preston flashes a header wide of the post.

44 Jordy Hiwula fires at goal from 18-yards but it's comfortable for Etheridge.

49 GOAL WALSALL. A swift counter ends with Osbourne shifting the ball onto his left foot and drilling a strike into the bottom corner.

51 Jordy Hiwula should pull his side level when presented with a tap-in but he gets his timings wrong and misses the ball.

53 Goal Bradford. Hiwula's initial effort is blocked by Etheridge's legs, the ball ricochets off Matt Preston and Hiwula hammers in from a tight angle.

56 Simeon Jackson's stinging strike is beaten away by Colin Doyle at his near post.

61 Jason McCarthy's rasping drive is tipped over by Doyle.

62 From the resultant corner, McCarthy's header is cleared off the line.

80 Mark Marshall cuts inside Laird before firing well wide of the far post.