Walsall 2-2 Salford analysis: Saddlers stop the rot in a potentially season-defining comeback

It's not always the free-flowing, handsome victories which form the foundations of a promotion-winning team. Sometimes it's the gritty, determined displays which change the course of a campaign. 

This team hasn't faced many setbacks. There were the pair of 1-0 defeats earlier in the campaign at Tranmere Rovers and MK Dons, and of course, the 6-2 drubbing at the hands of Fleetwood Town in October. 

Then followed a 16-match unbeaten run which included a club record nine-match winning streak. Some were calling it a foregone conclusion but every team faces bumps in the road, and the past week has seen Walsall experience theirs. 

Back-to-back defeats at Bradford City and Fleetwood have invited the chasing pack to close the gap. Walsall's 12-point lead has been cut to seven but the draw against Salford has at least stopped the rot. 

Not only that, but it was the manner in which they earned the point that demonstrated the character still seeping from this squad. 

Mat Sadler constantly preaches the importance of his squad and even the fringe players have installed key chapters along the way this campaign. 

Evan Weir had his moment in the spotlight at Notts County, George Hall enjoyed a purple patch either side of his injuries and Danny Johnson netted a vital late winner against Bradford City in September. 

And it was the 31-year-old who emerged as the hero again, scoring a dramatic late double from the bench to rescue Walsall from the jaws of a third successive league defeat. 

It was rather fitting that Johnson was the man to turn the tide. It's been a difficult week for the striker following his penalty miss in the 3-0 defeat at Bradford last week. 

His shushing celebration was perhaps a message to the critics but he deserved to revel in his moment in the limelight. 

It wasn't a vintage performance. Walsall fell behind inside four minutes, conceding in the opening 15 minutes for the third time in the space of a week, when Cole Stockton fired past Tommy Simkin. 

The defending was once again a concern. Hakeeb Adelakun was afforded an abyss of space down the right to pick out Stockton, who was left completely unmarked at the back post, to take a touch and bury his finish inside the near post. 

Walsall responded well and nearly got back on level terms straightaway when Ethan Wheatley side-footed Connor Barrett's low feed on to the inside of the near post. The momentum was very much with the Saddlers although they still lacked the fluency which we've become so accustomed to seeing throughout this season. 

To their credit, Salford remained tight out of possession and forced a few moments of sloppiness as things refused to fully click for Walsall. That didn't prevent them from posing the bigger attacking threat with Taylor Allen sending a half-volley whistling wide before stinging the palms of Jamie Jones with a powerful free-kick. 

Salford did almost catch Walsall cold on the counter-attack but Adelakun could only blaze his finish a couple of inches wide of Simkin's left-hand post on the cusp of half-time. 

Walsall started the second half strongly. Jamie Jellis was a livewire and Salford had to battle hard to combat the set piece threat as Walsall bombarded Jones' goalmouth with a series of dangerous deliveries. 

A special mention must also go to Simkin. There was little he could do about both goals but his stunning stop to deny Stockton's low volley midway into the second half even drew a pat on the chest from the man he had just denied.

Levi Amantchi was introduced for his debut and provided Walsall with a focal point up top. His pace and strength added another dimension to the Saddlers' attacking play and Sadler rolled the dice once more with the triple introductions of Evan Weir, Albert Adomah and Johnson shortly after. 

Weir took over at left centre-back and Allen stepped up into a midfield in a decisive tactical switch. The left hand side suddenly became a much more productive attacking outlet although Walsall were handed a hammer blow when Adelakun raced away on the counter-attack to double Salford's advantage. 

That could've been the moment where heads bowed but Walsall remained unperturbed. Within three minutes of falling two behind, Weir ventured forward to collect from Ryan Stirk and arrowed a precise cross to the back post. Johnson cushioned down on his chest and prodded the ball past Jones with the aid of the post to kick start Walsall's comeback mission. 

Bescot believed and Walsall delivered. Jones could only punch Jellis' corner high into the air and Amantchi towered above his marker to knock the ball down to Johnson for the striker to bundle over the line at the back post. 

Even without key man Jamille Matt, who Sadler is hopeful will be available next week, Walsall still found a way. The very best teams always do. 

Have Walsall weathered the storm and come out the other side? I guess only time will tell but the significance of this result could prove vital come the end of the season.