Walsall analysis: Plenty of chances, but no goals in successive Saddlers defeat

Walsall carried the greater attacking threat throughout, and had chances, even in a first half, which was not particularly pulsating. 

The best of those opportunities fell to Aaron Pressley, who failed to take advantage, just as he did when he headed on to the post from point-blank range the previous weekend. 

Pressley and Daniel Kanu have shown strong signs as an attacking duo this season, but it never really clicked for the pair in Gloucestershire. 

Kanu appeared to swivel away from his man with every turn against Barrow, whereas he was unable to catch a break against an organised Cheltenham back-line. 

The only time Kanu really threatened was when he linked effectively with Connor Barrett down the right, before firing a tame shot at Day on the turn. 

Rico Browne, deputising for the injured Harrison Burke again, picked up some good attacking positions, and was also denied by Day from an acute angle.

Burke has missed the past three games with a knee injury and will be fighting to be fit for the trip to Eastleigh in the FA Cup first round on Sunday.

The threat largely came from the wide areas, especially through Jid Okeke, who made his first league start after Vincent Harper missed out with a minor knee issue.

Sadler confirmed afterwards that Harper will once again be in contention for the visit of Chelsea under-21s in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night.

Okeke was an exciting watch. He set-up the chance for Pressley with a great burst of pace and a neat cutback into the box, and posed a serious threat with his positive, and direct style. 

He is somewhat reminiscent of former loanee Nathan Asiimwe, who also thrived on taking on defenders and getting forward. 

Cheltenham had plenty of possession, but Walsall moved the ball well in spells and looked particularly good in the transition. 

Walsall kept their shape well and reduced the hosts to scraps, although they did have to overcame an injury setback when Lewis Warrington limped off with an ankle problem. 

It was almost the ultimate away performance in many ways and Walsall would've even been frustrated merely to accept a goalless stalemate at full-time. 

In the second half, Jamie Jellis dragged a chance wide, Courtney Clarke headed over from point-blank range and forced an excellent finger tip save from Joe Day with his weaker left foot. 

Okeke almost capped his monumental occasion with the breakthrough, but crashed an effort against the post. 

The pendulum was emphatically in favour of the Saddlers, but you could just sense that the nerves were beginning to settle in heading into the closing stages. 

After comfortably keeping Cheltenham at bay for 90 minutes, Steve Cotterill's charges delivered the ultimate smash and grab in stoppage time. 

Evan Weir was beaten for pace by Jake Bickerstaff, who had otherwise been kept quiet by Aden Flint, down the right. Flint shifted across in an attempt to rescue the situation, but Bickerstaff cut a low ball back for substitute Tommy Taylor. 

His initial effort was blocked on the line by Okeke, but Ryan Finnigan's attempted clearance cannoned off the head of Flint and looped over the desperate dive of Myles Roberts.

It was a gut-wrenching moment and Walsall looked shell-shocked when the full-time whistle sounded. 

Flint looked devastated at full-time, as he looked longingly into the abyss. The 36-year-old had delivered an immaculate performance prior to his own goal, which there was very little, if anything, he could do to prevent. 

The general consensus was that Walsall didn't deserve to lose, but failing to take their chances ultimately created the platform for a potential late upset. 

It's difficult to pick too many holes in the performance, barring the Saddlers' lack of clinical touch in front of goal. 

There was criticism surrounding the selection pre-match again. Clarke was once again preferred to Charlie Lakin in midfield, but actually performed relatively well. 

He was much more disciplined in his positioning and linked the play on a number of occasions with Weir and Okeke to create overloads down the left. 

His missed header was a big moment though and he will know that it was the type of opportunity that he needs to be taking, 

The numbers only underlined their dominance. They finished with a 1.64 xG, as opposed to the Robins' lowly tally of 0.63, and had three times as many touches in the opposition box (29). 

It's a difficult period to judge. On the one hand, performances have still been strong, and on another day, the result will be in the Saddlers' favour. 

However, if they can perform in this manner, but still not come away with anything, then that does raise concerns. 

Perhaps the break in league action is exactly what Walsall need. They have a double header of cup action ahead - starting with Chelsea under-21s in their final EFL Trophy group game, before they visit non-league Eastleigh in the FA Cup. 

That will enable Sadler to rest a number of key players and keep those on the fringes engaged as the fixture schedule ramps up heading towards the Christmas period.