Sheff United 1 Walsall 1 - Report and pictures

Chris O'Grady had put the Blades ahead when he swept home 11 minutes into the second-half.

But Bradshaw equalised just three minutes later, heading Jordan Cook's cross into the bottom corner.

Neither side could then find a winner though two-time Saddlers loanee Florian Cuvelier did go close for the hosts when he headed over.

There were boos from the home crowd on the final whistle and this was a very good point for Dean Smith's men at the start of a key festive period.

After a first-half which was lacking in incident besides an injury to the referee and a Jose Baxter shot which hit the bar, the game suddenly sparked to life with O'Grady's opener.

The Saddlers, to their credit, did not panic and once again Bradshaw was the hero as he earned them a share of the spoils.

With his side entering the game in such fine form, Smith opted to name an unchanged team with Andy Taylor still sidelined by a knee injury.

The Saddlers matched the hosts in a quiet opening before Jamie Murphy should really have put the Blades ahead on 15 minutes.

But he could only head over from eight yards out after Ryan Flynn's cross found him totally unmarked.

Murphy had another shot deflected behind and Stefan Scougall a header, which Saddlers goalkeeper Richard O'Donnell plucked out of the air.

Otherwise, Smith's men were able to contain the Blades with relative ease. Central midfield duo Michael Cain and Adam Chambers were particularly impressive, both making a number of interceptions to halt home attacks.

Chambers was shown a yellow card for catching the legs of Ryan Flynn and, from the free-kick, Chris O'Grady headed over,

The most noteworthy moment of the half looked like being referee Graham Horwood's injury, which forced him to be replaced fourth official Ricky Wootton.

But, in stoppage time, added on for the official's injury, Baxter let fly from distance with an effort which deflected before crashing off the bar and behind.

The Saddlers had been solid in possession during the opening half, but lax play by James Baxendale cost them dear 11 minutes into the second half,

He was dispossessed and Baxter fed O'Grady, who flashed a finish past O'Donnell to put the Blades ahead.

But the lead lasted just three minutes as the Saddlers levelled with their first attempt on goal of the game.

Bradshaw directed his header from Cook's cross into the bottom corner, with home goalkeeper Mark Howard rooted to the spot.

Suddenly the game was open and Harris was almost left with his egg on his face when he sliced Cook's shot over his own bar.

The hosts went close with long-range efforts from Baxter and Harris while Bradshaw shot wide from the left-hand edge of the box.

Cuvelier was introduced by the Blades with six minutes to go and almost got the winner with his first touch, heading O'Grady's cross over at the far post.