Walsall 1-1 Gillingham: Saddlers share the spoils as they extend winless run to five

Jamille Matt moved into double figures for the campaign with his 49th-minute opener before Robbie McKenzie's spectacular long-range strike restored parity 22 minutes from time. 

David Okagbue cleared Armani Little's deflected goal bound effort off the line and substitute looped a golden chance on to the roof of the net late on. 

Walsall may have headed into the game on the back of three successive away defeats but it has been over five months since they last lost on home soil in League Two. 

Mat Sadler made three changes from the 2-1 defeat at Colchester United on Saturday. Evan Weir replaced the suspended Taylor Allen and Harry Williams was also restored to the back-line, with Charlie Lakin dropping to the bench. 

Oisin McEntee stepped up into midfield and Josh Gordon was recalled in attack at the expense of MK Dons loanee Ellis Harrison. 

It was a very scrappy start to the contest with neither side able to get the ball down and create any real momentum. 

Gillingham did almost unlock the Walsall defence when Max Clark's clever free-kick caught the hosts off guard but Williams eventually got across to smother Joe Gdobe's eventual effort. 

Walsall did eventually settle into the contest after the quarter-hour mark and offered a threat down the right through Barrett and McEntee albeit without creating any goal scoring opportunities. 

Walsall continued to intensify the pressure on Gillingham towards the end of the half but failed to capitalise on a succession on set pieces. 

Gillingham striker Gdobe did almost volley Walsall into the lead himself when his attempted clearance from Jamie Jellis' corner delivery whistled wide of the near post. 

It took Walsall just four minutes to find the breakthrough after the restart through experienced frontman Matt. It all started from a beautiful cross-field switch by Weir, which Barrett cushioned down nicely before charging into the box. 

The wing-back chopped inside Max Clark and his left-footed effort deflected off Matt and beyond stranded Gills goalkeeper Morris.

Josh Gordon went down injured shortly after and was unable to play any further part as he was replaced by Harrison. 

Walsall kept knocking on the door for a second goal and came close when Jellis was released in behind by Matt. He hurdled two challenges with a determined run but was stopped in his tracks by a last-ditch tackle just as he looked to set to pull the trigger. 

But Gillingham equalised against the run of play midway into the second half with McKenzie finding the net with a sensational strike from distance. The midfielder took aim from 30 yards with a powerful effort which beat Simkin and crashed in off the crossbar.

Sloppiness began to seep in as Walsall lost control of proceedings during a frantic finale. McEntee fluffed his lines on the volley after Matt cushioned down Liam Gordon's scooped cross before Hutton sent a dangerous effort just over the crossbar at the other end.

Nerves were jangling as Okagbue rescued Walsall at the death when he was perfectly placed to head Little's deflected effort off the line.

Substitute Danny Johnson had a golden opportunity to score a late winner when he was released by McEntee but the striker guided his looping effort on to the roof of the net.

Next, Walsall will be back at Bescot again when they host Chesterfield on Saturday before travelling to Morecambe the following weekend.

Teams 

Walsall (3-1-4-2): Simkin; Okagbue, Williams, Weir; Stirk; Barrett, McEntee, Jellis, L Gordon; Matt (Amantchi 89), J Gordon (Harrison 55). 

Unused: Hornby, Lakin, Comley, Adomah.

Gillingham (3-5-1-1): Morris; Smith, Ehmer, Gale; Hutton, McKenzie, Little, Corness (Nolan 74), Clark; Gdobe (Hawkins 74); Nevitt. 

Unused: Turner, Clarke, Morgan, Ogie, Dack.

Match Details 

Referee: Thomas Parsons

Attendance: 6,229 (203)