The Verdict: Another clean sheet as rock-solid Saddlers remain unbeaten

There were chances aplenty on the south coast for both outfits, but neither side were able to take one and steal all three points, with the spoils shared in the sunshine.

The Saddlers’ 25-year wait for a win at the home of the Grecians continues, but their unbeaten start to League Two is still intact.

A third 0-0 stalemate of the season may be batted at by a few eyelids, but securing a fifth clean sheet in just seven games is mighty impressive for the Black Country outfit.

Walsall boss Lee Grant made four changes to the team that succumbed to a last-gasp equaliser against Crewe Alexandra midweek; most notably with deadline day arrival Antony Evans handed his Saddlers debut after signing on Tuesday from Huddersfield Town.

The visitors were applying early pressure at St James Park, with Reece Smith, perhaps unintentionally, clipping the crossbar directly from a corner after six minutes, with Exeter goalkeeper Jack Bycroft beaten.

The Grecians hit back with a chance of their own soon after though, as ex-Saddler Josh Gordon’s shot was bravely blocked by Ryan Leak, before Sonny Cox’s driven effort was well-stopped by Jed Ward.

As the half dragged on, Exeter were growing into the game evermore, with multiple dangerous counter-attacks. Matt Taylor’s side had multiple threatening spells with the ball just shy of the half-hour-mark, though struggled to create anything of note to test Ward.

It took Walsall 33 minutes to register their first clear shot on goal, though it will not live too long in the memory. After Courtney Clarke’s cross was cleared, the ball landed at Mason Hancock’s feet outside the box, but his strike sailed well over the crossbar to a chorus of jeers.

Cox was Exeter’s dangerman in the first half, with the 21-year-old finding space in the penalty area thanks to Reece Cole’s threaded pass, but Ward stood in his way once more to keep the scores level with half-time approaching.

Almost immediately after the restart, the Saddlers started on the front foot, with Evans at the heart of it. The new addition’s corner from the left side eventually met Leak after a deflection, but his shot was blocked with real desperation by the hosts.

At the other end, Exeter almost took the lead in unusual circumstances. Charlie Cummins’ long throw from the right beat everybody in the box and looked to arc in at the back post, but Ward managed to get a hand to the ball and scoop it away.

With end-to-end action ever-present in the second half, Walsall were next to carve out a major opportunity in front of goal. Lewis Simper, with his first few touches after coming on as substitute, received the ball on the left and drilled an effort towards goal that Bycroft’s legs turned behind for a corner.

The momentum was swinging into the Saddlers’ favour, as Clarke was next to threaten. Aaron Pressley’s flick-on fell kindly to the Jamaican international, though his stinging volley flew just over the crossbar.

However, the hosts looked to hit back straight away, with Lakyle Samuel fizzing a powerful attempt towards the top right corner that stung the side netting.

With 83 minutes on the clock, Exeter spurned possibly the chance of the afternoon to steal all three points. Taylor Perry played fellow substitute Ajay Matthews in on goal with just Ward to beat, but he was unable to find the finish as he blazed over the bar.

The match was certainly hanging in the balance with little time left to go, with Smith the latest Saddler to test Bycroft. The flying winger worked his way into the box from the left and tried to bend an effort into the far corner, but the hosts’ goalkeeper stood in his way.

Exeter piled on the pressure late on as they searched for the winner, but Grant’s side weathered the aerial storm to hang on and secure a point.

Exeter City (4-2-3-1): Bycroft, Woodhouse (Taylor 80), Fitzwater, James, Samuel, Doyle-Hayes (Perry 80), Cummins, Edwards (Sutherland 62), Cole, Gordon (Rose 62), Cox (Matthews 71). Subs not used: Phillips, Birch.

Walsall (4-2-3-1): Ward, Hancock, Connolly, Leak, Ahui (Burke 90), Moore, Crew (Sprangler 80), Smith, Evans (Simper 64), Clarke (Dallas 80), Pressley. Subs not used: Wooster, Sodje, Furlong.

Referee: Harrison Blair.

Attendance: 6,003 (755 away).