Walsall 0-0 Cambridge: Saddlers battle for point to end run of four home defeats
Walsall ended a run of four successive home defeats after battling for a goalless draw against third-placed Cambridge United at Bescot.
The hosts had the better chances, as Charlie Lakin had a corner clawed on to the post by Cambridge goalkeeper Jake Eastwood and Aden Flint saw a towering header cleared off the line.
Although they extended their winless run to eight home games, Walsall moved to within two points of the play-off places with a draw.
The Saddlers also avoided setting an unwanted record of five home defeats in a row for the first time since late 1989 at Fellows Park.
Cambridge - in third-place - are unbeaten in eight games and had lost just once in 23 games in League Two (winning 14, drawing nine).
Byfield made two changes from the previous win at Crewe with Kacper Lopata replacing Priestley Farquharson in defence and Aaron Loupalo-Bi making his full debut at the expense of Jid Okeke.
Adomah saw a speculative shot from distance deflect wide of the target and Myles Roberts was called upon to repel a low shot by Sullay Kaikai.
But goalmouth action was at a premium as neither side managed to assert themselves on a contest which was desperate need of a spark.
Jellis threatened to light that flame when he embarked on a rampaging run from inside his own half. He ignored the advances of Adomah to his right, but Browne's pass deflected invitingly for Kanu who sliced over on the half-volley.
Lakin did pick out Adomah a few moments later with an excellent diagonal pass. The 38-year-old brought it down and crossed to the back post where Loupalo-Bi climbed above his marker, but was unable to direct his header on target.
Cambridge almost went in ahead at the interval but Hancock made a crucial block to thwart Ben Knight's back post header for what looked like a certain goal on the cusp of half-time.
Flint and Alex Pattison were introduced five minutes into the second half as Lopata and Jellis made way.
Walsall came agonisingly close to an opener just past the hour-mark when a teasing corner from Lakin was clawed on to the post by Eastwood.
Aaron Pressley entered the fold midway into the second half and was soon joined by Rico Richards and Alfie Chang for the closing stages.
Flint climbed above his marker to meet Hancock's corner at the back post but his header was cleared off the line, as Walsall pushed for a late winner.
Adomah wriggled away from his marker with a slick feet inside the box and found Pressley with a low cutback, but the Scotsman saw his close-range finish blocked.
Next, Walsall welcome strugglers Newport County to Bescot on Saturday.
Teams
Walsall (4-3-3): Roberts; Browne, Burke, Lopata (Flint 50), Hancock; Jellis (Pattison 50), Comley, Lakin (Chang 75); Adomah (c), Kanu (Richards 75), Loupalo-Bi (Pressley 68).
Not used: Hornby, Harper.
Cambridge (3-4-2-1): Eastwood; Gibbons, Jobe, Watts; Bennett (Purrington 68), Ball, Mpanzu (Lavery 68), Smith; Knight (Mayor 74), Kaikai (Brophy 74); Appere.
Not used: Hughes, Raggett, Nevitt.
Other details
Referee:
