Crawley 2 Walsall 2 - match report

The striker headed in with nine minutes left to cancel out Ashley Hemmings' strike just seven minutes earlier.

Febian Brandy's first Saddlers goal had fired the visitors ahead before Billy Clarke's rocket pegged them back.

Joe Walsh was sent off after 83 minutes for bring down Brandy as he burst clean through but the Saddlers couldn't force the win.

Jamie Paterson had earlier the bar and forced a fine stop from Paul Jones with Walsall meriting at least a point.

Aaron McCarey was handed a debut after signing on loan from Wolves while Andy Taylor, Sam Mantom, Hemmings and Will Grigg returned following the FA Cup exit to Lincoln. Mat Sadler faced his old side for the first time since leaving in the summer.

Crawley began with purpose but it was the Saddlers who created the first chance after six minutes when a sweeping move found Taylor free on the left and his cross was headed wide by an unmarked Grigg.

But the visitors, who grew in confidence, took the lead on 14 minutes when Paterson picked out Brandy and his shot clipped Walsh to slide past Jones into the corner.

Grigg's snapshot flew straight at Jones two minutes later as Walsall began to impose themselves but Crawley hit back in fine style on 22 minutes.

Forte slipped in Clarke 18-yards out and forward didn't break stride to arrow the ball into the top corner.

Crawley smelt blood and only Dean Holden's last-ditch challenge on Forte denied the striker an immediate second.

But the Saddlers held firm with the Red Devils probing but failing to again break through the visitors' massed ranks.

McCarey was under-employed and remained in a watching brief into the second half as the Saddlers took the game to Crawley.

First Paterson's dipping effort from 18-yards shuddered the bar on 55 minutes and before Jones clawed away the winger's effort soon after.

Walsall were giving as good as they got as Crawley lack inspiration and cutting edge to seriously hurt the Saddlers.

And the visitors further stunned the hosts when they re-took the lead on 74 minutes when Mantom's drive was parried by Jones and Hemmings kept his cool to slot in.

Crawley equalised again though when Forte's 81st minute header drifted over McCarey - who was under pressure from Nicky Ajose - before Walsh was dismissed in late drama.