Walsall 0-0 Crawley report: Abject Saddlers register second successive stalemate
Another abject Walsall display saw them register their second successive goalless stalemate against Crawley Town at Bescot.
Jamille Matt failed to direct Courtney Clarke's inviting cross on target with what proved to be Walsall's only real chance early in the second half.
Myles Roberts rescued the Saddlers from falling to defeat with a series of saves to deny Ronan Darcy, Jay Williams and Theo Vassell.
After mustering a goalless draw against Accrington Stanley on Saturday, Walsall extended their winless run to three games on home soil.
Mat Sadler made three changes as Clarke and Mason Hancock replaced Connor Barrett and Vincent Harper in both wing-back positions.
Port Vale loanee Rico Richards also made his first league start for the club at the expense of Jamie Jellis.
Both teams cancelled each other during the first 30 minutes and chances were at a premium. Crawley frontman Danilo Orsi dragged an effort wide from an offside position and had another stabbed finish blocked behind by Aden Flint.
Walsall failed to test Jacob Chapman between the sticks with Flint heading off target and Clarke blazing another shot over from distance.
The game became very scrappy and Walsall were loose in possession, as they struggled to string together a notable attack.
They failed to register a single shot on target during the first half and headed into the interval with an xG of just 0.04.
Matt spurned a glorious chance to break the deadlock five minutes into the second half when he directed his header across goal rather than towards it.
Clarke did supremely well to bypass two challenges with a darting run and hung an inviting cross to the back post. Matt failed to capitalise, before Daniel Kanu got the ball stuck underneath his feet and scuffed his finish straight at Jacob Chapman.
Priestley Farquharson broke forward from deep and crossed into the box for Matt who stabbed over on the volley before being replaced by Aaron Loupalo-Bi.
Roberts prevented Walsall from falling behind with a string of saves, as the visitors pressed for a match-winner in the second half.
Darcy drew a finger tip save with a clever chip from the edge of the box, before Roberts made two saves in quick succession to parry Jay Williams' low drive and palm over Vassell's effort.
It was still unclear to see what the Saddlers' plan was, which was also the case against Accrington, and the fans clearly began to become disgruntled in the stands.
Sadler attempted to change things when he introduced Barrett, Jellis and Charlie Lakin for the closing stages.
There was no improvement after the substitutions, although Evan Weir did flash a low free-kick across the face of goal and wide of the far post in stoppage time.
Next, Walsall travel to Chesterfield on Saturday before visiting Bristol Rovers on Tuesday next week.
Teams
Walsall (3-1-4-2): Roberts; Farquharson, Flint, Weir; Comley; Clarke, Richards (Lakin 75), Pattison (Jellis 75), Hancock (Barrett 75); Matt (Loupalo-Bi 56), Kanu.
Not used: Hornby, Burke, Adomah.
Crawley (3-4-2-1): Chapman; Baker (Odimayo 57), Vassell, Flint; Gordon, Williams, Anderson (Bajrami 57), Russell (L Richards 57); Darcy (McKirdy 69), T Richards (Pereira 90 +3); Orsi.
Not used: Wollacott, Forster.
Other Details
Referee: Scott Oldham
Attendance: 4,899 (141 away)
