Walsall FC given reality check - match analysis and pictures

While last Monday's terrific win over Peterborough had raised expectations to new highs, Saturday's goal-less draw at Crawley Town gave evidence of why they might not be met.

Namely, are the Saddlers going to score enough goals?

It's a question which has reared its head countless times this season and is now sneaking back on to the agenda after Dean Smith's side were denied victory at Broadfield Stadium by a combination of misfortune, poor finishing and good goalkeeping. On another day, Craig Westcarr would have had a hat-trick.

Midfielder James Baxendale had stressed before the game the need to keep picking up points to keep pace with the division's top six and this very much felt like two points dropped.

If the Saddlers narrowly miss out on the play-off come May, this will be the type of game they'll look back on with regret.

But before digging into why victory wasn't achieved, it's vital to note this was also a day when football was put into perspective.

The death of Bert Chambers on Thursday, father to Adam and James, clearly came as a huge shock to the whole club.

Walsall paid their respects in typically dignified fashion, with every player wearing a black armband, while the squad held a minute's silence shortly after the final whistle. Smith, a close family friend, admitted it had been a tough day for everyone.

The popular twins' decision to play and the fact they put in their usual committed performances spoke volumes for their character.

While there were undoubted frustrations all-round at missing out on the win, sometimes it's worth remembering it is only a game.

Nevertheless, this was a game the Saddlers will feel they should have won and the analysis of why they didn't must start with Craig Westcarr, who simply had "one of those days" in front of goal.

The striker was incredibly unlucky with a shot which struck the inside of the post but stayed out and also squandered the best chance of the game when he blazed over from just eight yards out after being brilliantly set-up by Milan Lalkovic.

Home keeper Paul Jones also proved his nemesis on a couple of occasions.

It may seem harsh to criticise Westcarr, who is enjoying a largely excellent season. But the Saddlers have raised the bar several times already this campaign and when they are deemed to have fallen short, questions get asked.

The claim Westcarr does not score enough has been rendered somewhat bogus by his eight goals to date.

Still, by his own admission he is not an out-and-out striker and it will be claimed a pure finisher would have put at least one of his chances away.

Saturday was perhaps also something of a reality check where two other forwards – Milan Lalkovic and Romaine Sawyers – are concerned. Both had been excellent in the trouncing of Peterborough but struggled on a heavy pitch at the Broadfield.

To their credit, both improved markedly after the break, with Sawyers teeing up Westcarr for the shot which hit the post and Lalkovic becoming an increasing menace for the home defenders thanks to his tenacity..

Numerous reasons can be given – including the performance of the home side – for why they failed to re-create their heroics of last Monday.

Most importantly, it should be remembered Lalkovic and Sawyers are young and largely inexperienced players.While both have shown their potential, an ability to produce strong performances on a consistent basis will only come with time.

There is also the fact neither remain a secret following the Peterborough win.

Crawley manager Richie Barker made reference to having watched the game on Sky Sports and as brilliant as the victory was for the Saddlers, it has rather blown any remaining cover for Smith's side. Lalkovic, Sawyers and their team-mates are now marked men in the eyes of opposition managers.

For the third game running Smith named the same starting XI as he decided against a return to the three-man central midfield which has been so successful away from home this term.

It was a decision which certainly had little impact defensively, as for the third game in succession the Saddlers kept a clean sheet with relative ease.

Keeper Richard O'Donnell had a solid game, while he showed good decision-making in coming to punch clear a dangerous-looking Jamie Proctor cross, one of the highlights of a low-key first half which failed to get the 3,296 present engaged.

Only when Proctor tumbled in the box after going past Paul Downing did the home crowd get excited. But neither Proctor, nor his team-mates, appealed for a spot-kick and the moment passed.

The Saddlers were much improved after the break, Westcarr hitting the inside of the post within five minutes of the restart after being played in by Sawyers.

Keeper Jones, who was named the home side's man of the match, had his jittery moments and almost presented Westcarr with a tap-in after fumbling an Andy Taylor cross.

He was then relieved to see the forward side-foot over the bar from eight yards out after Lalkovic had robbed full-back James Hurst.

Lalkovic was also wasteful when he sliced a shot wide, while Proctor squandered Crawley's best chance when he headed Mat Sadler's cross wide.

But it was the Saddlers who always looked the most dangerous and their day in front of goal was summed up in the closing minutes when substitute Ashley Hemmings saw a drive parried by Jones straight to Westcarr, who struck the rebound straight at the keeper.