Own-goal saves Walsall from defeat - match analysis and pictures

By Matt Maher

Trailing to Chuks Aneke's goal, time and again they failed to test Crewe keeper Ben Garratt.

But with the 90 minutes almost up, Crewe defender Mark Ellis seemingly took pity and did the job for the hosts, planting a firm header past his own keeper from substitute Milan Lalkovic's cross.

The latter then almost snatched an improbable win for the hosts in stoppage time, but Garratt was able to tip his drive onto the bar.

Whether the Saddlers can find a new purpose to their campaign after the late drama remains to be seen but certainly Ellis' embarrassment – a refreshing change of recent fortune for the hosts – prevented the current slump from hitting a new low, even if the winless run was extended to eight games.

On a night when a minute's applause marked the passing of John Christie, Walsall's goalkeeper in the back to back 1960 and '61 promotion sides, neither custodian was overworked.

Crewe arrived at the Banks's with the worst defensive record in the league and having conceded most of those 67 goals on their travels, but managed to keep the Saddlers at bay with worrying ease at times.

Then again, the hosts themselves have only scored at the rate of a goal a game at home and manager Dean Smith dropped Lalkovic and brought back Craig Westcarr. During the second half, Smith seemed to adopt the kitchen sink mentality as he brought on the Slovakian and Michael Ngoo, who hit the post during an encouraging cameo.

It is a lack of firepower which has held the Saddlers back this season, but it is a problem which can only be addressed over time.

Remarkably, considering their awful recent run, this point moves Smith's side closer to the top six but it needs a vast improvement if they are to remain credible contenders and a quick one. Rotherham await on Saturday, followed by Leyton Orient. Falter and the season could well begin to fizzle out.

The only time either goal was threatened during the opening half was when Saddlers skipper Andy Butler whistled a header inches over the bar after Westcarr had played a corner short to Andy Taylor.

Before then, Westcarr and Febian Brandy had seen efforts deflected behind, the latter after a sublime piece of skill to evade Jon Guthrie.

Crewe looked lively at times but found any attacks repelled by a Saddlers defence which looked devoid of the troubles that have blighted displays in recent weeks. Butler, in particular, looked back to his best to nullify Aneke.

Lalkovic's introduction showed Smith's dissatisfaction with his side's attacking and they began the second half with greater purpose, Westcarr going close with a hooked shot over the bar from eight yards out after excellent work by Brandy.

But just as they looked to advance, the Saddlers were hit by Aneke's goal six minutes into the half. Nicky Featherstone gave the ball away and the visitors broke. Mathias Pogba's first-time shot from Matt Tootle was well blocked by Butler but the ball fell kindly to Aneke, who slid his shot under the glove of Richard O'Donnell.

Smith threw on Ngoo who jinked into the box and from eight yards shot just the wrong side of the post.

He had a bigger impact in the final minute as the visitors were breached. Lalkovic whipped in a cross from the right and Ellis, under pressure from Ngoo, buried his header past Garratt.

Four frenetic minutes of stoppage time saw the Saddlers chase an improbable winner. Lalkovic looked like he'd got it, but the ball crashed against the bar with Garratt getting the most vital of touches.