Walsall 1 Swindon 1 - Verdict

Walsall's six month search for a home win continued after they were held by a determined Swindon at the Banks's Stadium.

Troy Deeney put the Saddlers ahead after eight minutes, but Billy Paynter's 80th minute penalty meant their barren run continued.

And it could have been worse, as Paynter had struck the post with an earlier spot kick.

For the home side, Mark Hughes replaced the injured Manny Smith and Mark Bradley came in for Richard Taundry, out for a month with a pulled hamstring.

The Saddlers could have gone ahead just eleven seconds in, after Deeney swapped passes with Darren Byfield, but his close range effort was saved by goalkeeper David Lucas before Matt Richards fired over from 20-yards.

It was an electric start and Deeney shot inches wide after six minutes, but two minutes later he grabbed his third goal in two games.

Sean Morrison made a hash of Clayton McDonald's long ball and while the defender dallied Deeney stole in and comfortably beat Lucas from eight yards.

It was one way traffic, as the Robins struggled to cope with the rampant Saddlers as Hughes and Alex Nicholls both missed presentable chances.

But, for their dominance, the lead was a slender one as Alex Revell reminded them by shooting straight at goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin after 18 minutes.

It was a warning and, slowly, Swindon were afforded more possession as the hosts struggled to maintain their early tempo.

They escaped five minutes before the break when Hughes cleared Jonathan Douglas' effort off the line.

But the Saddlers squandered two more chances, as Richards headed straight at Lucas and Nicholls couldn't even find the target with his effort.

The Swindon stopper parried from Deeney after the break, before Paynter unbelievably headed wide from two yards.

Walsall then survived a massive penalty shout when Lloyd Macklin tumbled under Darryl Westlake's clumsy challenge with 20 minutes remaining, but five minutes later the Robins were awarded a spot kick.

Westlake this time tangled with Paynter, who picked himself up only to fire against the post.

But the striker redeemed himself 10 minutes from time when Hughes handled Tope Obadeyi's cross in the area and, at the second attempt, the Swindon striker made the penalty count to deny the Saddlers three points.