Walsall 2-2 Salford City: Dramatic Danny Johnson double rescue point for Saddlers

Salford took the lead inside four minutes when Cole Stockton collected Hakeeb Adelakun's cross and slid his finish past Tommy Simkin. 

The visitors doubled their advantage 15 minutes from time when Adelakun turned goal scorer after wheeling away from the Walsall defence to score. 

But Johnson marked his emergence from the bench by halving the deficit three minutes later before rescuing a point with a back post header in the 87th-minute. 

Walsall made two changes from the 2-0 defeat against Fleetwood Town on the Lancashire coast on Tuesday, with Jamille Matt still missing with a hamstring injury.

Josh Gordon was given the nod in attack for his first start in five months as Albert Adomah dropped to the bench. Charlie Lakin was also restored to midfield at the expense of Oisin McEntee. 

They made the worst possible start when Salford hit the front inside the first four minutes through Stockton. Ryan Watson scooped the ball out to the right where Adelakun was loitering with intent. 

He darted into space, with Taylor Allen unable to get across, and delivered a low centre for Stockton inside the box. The Salford marksman took a touch to steady himself before applying a cool finish past the onrushing Tommy Simkin and inside the near post. 

Ethan Wheatley almost got Walsall back on level terms when Ethan Wheatley side footed an instinctive finish onto the base of the near post from Connor Barrett's low feed. 

Walsall were the team on the front foot after falling behind and came close to a leveller once again when Taylor Allen swept a low effort wide of the near post on the half volley.

Despite posting the biggest attacking threat, Walsall were clearly still rediscovering their confidence levels and lacked the conviction they boasted in an abundance just a fortnight ago. 

Salford almost went in at the break two to the good when Adelakun broke on the counter-attack but the winger chopped back on to his right foot and blazed wide.

The momentum was very much with Walsall after the restart and Jellis almost caught out Jones when his swerving free-kick forced the Salford to backpedal and turn behind. 

Levi Amantchi was introduced for his Walsall debut just before the hour and showed a great burst of pace to break in behind, only to fire his finish straight at Jones. 

Stockton was only denied his brace by a miraculous save from Simkin. Tom Edwards delivered from the right for the towering Stockton to plant his low header goal wards but Simkin got a strong right hand to the ball to remarkably force it over.

Mat Sadler went for the jugular in the final 20 minutes with the introductions of Evan Weir, Albert Adomah and Danny Johnson. Weir took over at left centre-back as Taylor Allen stepped into midfield. 

Any hopes of a comeback were seemingly dashed when Adelakun doubled Salford's advantage 12 minutes from time. The Red Devils broke on the counter-attack with Lund weaving the ball into the path of Adelakun for the winger slid his finish past Simkin. 

But Walsall hit back immediately with the substitutes combining to deadly effect. Weir floated a delicious cross to the back post where Johnson cushioned the ball down and poked his finish over the line with the aid of the post. 

Johnson continued his rescue mission from the bench with a dramatic equaliser three minutes from time. Jellis' corner was punched high into the air by Jones with Amantchi first to the looping ball to cushion down for Johnson to nod in at the back post. 

Next, Walsall travel to Colchester United on Saturday next week before welcoming Gillingham to Bescot the following Tuesday. 

Teams 

Walsall (3-1-4-2): Simkin; Okagbue, Williams, Allen; Stirk (McEntee 85); Barrett (Adomah 71), Jellis, Lakin (Weir 71), L Gordon; J Gordon (Johnson 71), Wheatley (Amantchi 57).

Unused: Hornby, Comley.

Salford (4-3-3): Jones; Shephard (Edwards 11), Negru, Tilt, Longelo (Berkoe 78); Lund, Warrington (McAleny 46), Watson; Mnoga, Stockton (Kouassi 78), Adelakun (Okoronkwo 85).

Subs: Young, Taylor (Edwards 90 +1).

Match Details

Referee: James Bell

Attendance: 5,970 (187)