Walsall 0 Blackpool 0 - Report and pictures

In what was an uneventful clash at the Banks’s Stadium, both teams threatened with free-kicks in the first half with Zeli Ismail going close for the Saddlers while Joe Dodoo fired narrowly over for the Tangerines.

And the chances remained at a premium in the second half - albeit with Blackpool looking the marginally more dangerous of the two teams.

In the end though, a draw was a fair result with Walsall having now won four and drawn two of their six matches in League One this season.

Analysis

In naming his starting line-up, Dean Keates made one change from the team that secured victory in the Saddlers previous league outing at Rochdale.

With Josh Ginnelly sidelined through injury, Zeli Ismail came back into the starting line-up on the right of midfield with Kieron Morris continuing on the left wing.

Otherwise the Saddlers lined up as expected with Andy Cook and Morgan Ferrier up front in a 4-4-2 system.

Blackpool entered the game looking to make is six matches unbeaten under the guidance of caretaker manager Terry McPhillips.

The Tangerines opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation with Mark Cullen the lone striker, Jordan Thompson in the number 10 role and Nathan Delfouneso and Joe Dodoo wide.

In what proved an intriguing opening 20 minutes, it was the visitors who enjoyed the lion’s share of possession but with Walsall looking a threat on the break.

Yet for all Blackpool’s bright play, they struggled to create anything of note with a scuffed overhead kick from Dodoo and a fierce Thompson strike - which was headed clear by Jack Fitzwater - their only real sights of goal.

Gradually though, the Saddlers began to look more of a threat with Ferrier and Nicky Devlin getting into some dangerous positions.

And they almost took the lead midway though the half when Morris collected a long throw from Liam Roberts before being tripped on the edge of the box.

Ismail stood over the resultant free-kick and then curled a strike which sailed inches over the bar.

That moment aside though, it was McPhillips’ side who continued to look the more inventive on the ball - with Jay Spearing dictating things in the middle of the park.

And they created three more half-chances before the interval.

They came a whisker away from opening the scoring on the half-hour when Tilt rose highest from a corner only to see his header cleared off the line by George Dobson.

Dodoo then sent a dipping and curling free-kick from 25-yards just over the bar.

Then in the 40th minute, Roberts made the first save of the match when he parried a fierce drive from Spearing before claiming the ball at the second attempt.

Blackpool made a change at the break with Liam Feeney replacing Dodoo.

And it was the Tangerines who continued to look the more dangerous of the two teams - with the visitors again coming close just before the hour mark.

After Roberts could only punch clear a corner, the keeper then did well to dive at the feet of Feeney to block his effort.

But the ball then fell for Cullen who - six-years-out - spun sharply before firing over.

Walsall were under heavy pressure with Dobson making two outstanding blocks to keep the Seasiders at bay.

Keates then made his first change in the 67th minute with Josh Gordon replacing Cook.

From that point, an uneventful game continued to be flat with neither side manage to create much,

Walsall almost grabbed all three points when substitute Kane Wilson headed wide from a corner.

Blackpool did then put the ball into the net with Delfouneso rounding the keeper but the striker was offside.

But despite six-minutes of stoppage time, the game petered out with both teams having lacked a touch of quality and composure in the final third.

Teams

Walsall: Roberts, Leahy, Guthrie, Fitzwater, Devlin, Morris, Osbourne, Dobson, Ismail (Wilson 86), Cook (Gordon 67), Ferrier.

Subs not used: Dunn, Kinsella, Kouhyar, Cockerill-Mollett, Parker.

Blackpool: Howard, Notingham, Heneghan, Tilt, Bola, Spearing, Turton, Thompson (Pritchard 72), Delfouneso, Dodoo (Feeney 46), Cullen (Gnanduillet 75).

Subs not used: Mafoumbi, O’Connor, Taylor, Sinclair-Smith.