Walsall 1-1 Macclesfield - Player ratings

LIAM ROBERTS

The goalkeeper didn't have a whole lot to do in reality. The Macclesfield goal was the fault of his defenders and the visitors defended for the majority of the game. Roberts' distribution was wayward at times but he made one or two key saves. 7

SHAY FACEY

Facey had a decent first-half and was one of few outlets that Walsall had in the opening 45 minutes. Defensively he was sound but at times he had no ball to play in front of him. Darrell Clarke took him off at half-time in a tactical switch. 6

MAT SADLER

Experienced centre-back Sadler put in the best defensive performance of the lot in this game. He was cool, calm and collected throughout the contest and regularly bailed out some team-mates who were struggling. A mature performance from the veteran. 7

DAN SCARR

It wasn't Scarr's best performance, but also not his worst. He did the basics well and was relatively solid. In the opposition box the centre-back wasn't as dangerous as usual, with a couple heading opportunities wasted as Walsall were chasing a goal. 6

JAMES CLARKE

It was a bad day at the office for the captain. Playing out of position in both left-back and right-back during the 90 minutes, it wasn't the centre-back's day. On the ball he was poor and often misplaced passes or gave it away. He's normally so consistent. 4

LIAM KINSELLA

Another player playing out of position, midfielder Kinsella didn't cut it in right-wing. He did the same role well against Port Vale but in this fixture he struggled to get a foothold in the game. Going forward he offered little to nothing and he seemed lost. 4

STUART SINCLAIR

This wasn't the Sinclair we've come to know and love. Usually tenacious, energetic and hard-hitting, the midfielder looked completely off the pace in this match. For periods of the second half he looked to improve, earning him a slightly better rating than his midfield partner Guthrie. 5

DANNY GUTHRIE

It's clear that Guthrie has the talent to shine in League Two. But his last two performances have been below par and has with Sinclair in this match, he looked off the pace. Perhaps the lack of movement in front of him didn't help, but Guthrie is capable of much more. 4

WES MCDONALD

In what was looking to be an average performance, McDonald stepped up with a moment of brilliance again. Throughout the match he was a threat at times and then cheaply lost the ball in other moments. But his goal was taken extremely well. 7

JOSH GORDON

Gordon was Walsall's best player in the first half and looking at the game as a whole, he was extremely unlucky not to score with the goalkeeper pulling off some great saves. He worked tirelessly yet again and was forcing the issue for the Saddlers when they lacked ideas. 6

CAOLAN LAVERY

The striker wasn't quite on his game. In the air he was regularly beaten and in the floor it didn't seem to stick for him. Lavery always puts in a good shift for the team but he looked tired in this fixture. There's still more to come from him this season. 5

SUBS: Pring (for Facey 45) 7, Adebayo (for Kinsella 68) 6, Gaffney (for Lavery 83) N/A.

Subs not used: Rose, Liddle, Bates, Holden.