Walsall 2-2 Bromley - Last gasp Saddlers rescue a point

Liam Gordon opened the scoring for Walsall on 40 minutes with a powerful effort into the roof of the net but Michael Cheek equalised for the visitors just before the hour.

Danny Imray fired Bromley into the lead from an acute angle in the 77th minute but Okagbue salvaged a point with an equaliser in the dying stages of stoppage time. 

Walsall closed the gap behind leaders Port Vale to three points and extended their unbeaten run to six games in League Two. 

Mat Sadler made two changes from the 1-0 win at AFC Wimbledon on Saturday as George Hall and Jack Earing replaced Jamie Jellis and Charlie Lakin who both dropped to the bench. 

Hall made his first league start since September 7 while Jellis and Lakin missed out on the starting line-up for only the second time in League Two this term. 

Nathan Lowe, who had scored seven goals in as many games, passed up a golden chance to open the scoring when he was sent one-on-one with Bromley goalkeeper Grant Smith. 

Earing pickpocketed Ben Thompson just inside his own half and slotted an instinctive pass into the path of Lowe. The teenager sprinted away from his marker but was denied by the outstretched leg of Grant Smith. 

Taylor Allen also stung Smith's palms with a free-kick from distance but Bromley had two golden chances in quick succession at the other end. 

Corey Whitley cushioned Michael Cheek's clever hooked cross down for Olomola who lashed wide on the half volley. Cheek then planted his downward volley wide of the target after Walsall were unable to clear Kamari Grant's troublesome long throw. 

Bromley came even closer to an opener when Olomola peeled away from his marker and crashed a low finish against the base of the post. 

After a tricky opening 40 minutes, Gordon delivered the breakthrough for Walsall with his first goal of the season.

Walsall caught Bromley on the counter-attack from David Okagbue's headed clearance and Gordon embarked on a lung-busting run before keeping his composure to power his finish into the roof of the net.

Tommy Simkin made a crucial save 10 minutes after the restart when he stretched out his left leg to repel Omar Sowunmi's powerful header. 

The Saddlers looked somewhat flat after the break and Cheek punished them to equalise as the Bromley frontman reached double figures across all competitions. 

They failed to clear their lines from Grant's long throw and the ball eventually broke to Ben Thompson on the edge of the box. His scuffed shot deflected kindly for Cheek who calmly lifted his finish over Simkin. 

The introduction of Jamie Jellis provided Walsall with an injection of energy and Stirk blazed over after the ball presented itself kindly to him on the edge of the box. 

But Bromley continued to create chances with Simkin called upon again to gather Webster's header. The visitors then went ahead with 13 minutes left on the clock when Imray completed the turnaround. 

The Bromley wing-back peeled away from Gordon and squeezed his finish past Simkin and in off the post.

Walsall left it late to salvage a point when Allen's corner caused an almighty scramble inside the box before Okagbue bundled the ball over the line in the final seconds.

Next, Walsall welcome League One side Charlton Athletic to Bescot in the FA Cup second round on Saturday before hosting Notts County in League Two on Tuesday next week.

Teams 

Walsall (3-1-4-2): Simkin; Okagbue, Daniels, Allen; Stirk (Johnson 81); Barrett (Adomah 74), Earing (Jellis 61), Hall (Comley 61), L Gordon; Lowe, Matt.

Not used: Hornby, McEntee, Lakin.

Bromley (3-5-2): Smith; Sowumni, Webster, Grant; Imray, Arthurs, Thompson, Odutayo; Cheek, Olomola (Congreve 76).

Not used: Long, Reynolds, Jenkinson, Dennis, Amantchi, Penn.

Referee: Michael Barlow

Attendance: 4,424 (80)