Walsall analysis: Late leveller brings relief for Saddlers

Just how important could his late leveller prove to be? 

Well, that will be made clear at the end of the season, or even by 3pm on Saturday afternoon. 

By then, Walsall will have travelled to fourth-place-place Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday night before entertaining local rivals Port Vale in third spot at Bescot in the lunch-time kick-off on Saturday. 

The promotion picture will have taken shape by then. For now, Walsall have established a slender one-point lead at the summit after second-place Bradford City had to settle for a goalless stalemate at Accrington Stanley in the early kick-off. 

Walsall have gone seven games without tasting victory, their longest winless run during the Mat Sadler era, but they did at least show character and fight. 

A defeat could've proven catastrophic, with Wimbledon on the brink of closing the gap to three points behind Walsall after substitute Omar Bugiel placed a precise finish into the bottom corner 20 minutes from time. 

Sadler used his bench cleverly. First by bringing on George Hall, who made his comeback from a long-term hamstring injury, before introducing Levi Amantchi, Albert Adomah and Evan Weir. 

Hall in particular made an impact with his explosive qualities providing Walsall with a different dimension in the final third. 

Keeping him fit and getting him up to speed could be vital during the final stretch of the campaign. 

But it was a moment of magic, in front of 9,203 spectators, that prevented Walsall from losing ground on a serious promotion rival. 

Time and time again, Allen has delivered this season, and his return of eight goals and eight assists in all competitions is a truly remarkable record for a left centre-back. 

Bescot attracted its highest home league attendance since 2014 and the scene was set for a special occasion. 

Instead, what played out in the first half at least was an extremely cagey affair, with neither side willing to overcommit. 

Danny Johnson was handed his first league start in over 14 months while Harry Williams surprisingly dropped out of the squad altogether. 

David Okagbue and Liam Gordon were also restored to the XI, although Sam Hornby retained his place between the sticks despite Tommy Simkin returning from international duty. 

Walsall looked relatively solid in their shape again, just as they did in the previous draw at Gillingham, but a lack of creativity in the final third was a concern. 

Jamille Matt looked somewhat off the pace and Johnson didn't necessarily stake a claim either. 

Gordon was quiet going forward in the first half, although Nathan Asiimwe, who deputised for the suspended Connor Barrett, impressed once again. 

The Charlton Athletic loanee was Walsall's biggest attacking threat and his willingness to be direct and take on his marker is something which couldn't help but get fans on their feet. 

After the break, Walsall started on the front-foot and enjoyed an extended period of sustained pressure. 

Charlie Lakin forced a smart stop from Owen Goodman after he met Asiimwe's delightful cross with a back post header but Walsall ultimately failed to capitalise. 

Instead, Bugiel, who scored a hat-trick against the Saddlers last season, emerged from the bench to deliver the breakthrough for the visitors. 

Walsall switched off with Oisin McEntee losing his duel before James Tilley raced free down the left. He squared for Alistair Smith but Hornby pulled off an impressive save to keep him out. 

But Bugiel had escaped the attentions of the Walsall defence and was afforded an abyss of space to stroke an excellent finish beyond the reach of Hornby. 

The goal came against the run of play but Wimbledon were clinical in front of goal, which is something Walsall clearly weren't. 

Allen came to the rescue late on and Walsall looked the likeliest side to steal a late winner but a draw was perhaps a fair result on the reflection of play. 

For Walsall, the lack of wins remain an issue. They've won just twice in 14 games in League Two but they're at least picking up points. 

As has been the case for quite some time, it's now about translating those draws into wins. 

Every point counts and that will hopefully reflect in the table come the end of the season. But Walsall have registered three draws on the spin and a remarkable six stalemates from their last 10 games. 

But despite their rocky form, Walsall remain top and five points clear of Doncaster, who they face in a mouth-watering clash at the Eco-Power Stadium tomorrow. 

There are obviously seven games left to play, but just as it felt ahead of Wimbledon, you really do get the sense that the next two games could be defining for Walsall.