Walsall 1 Sheff United 1 - Report and pics

Tom Bradshaw put Dean Smith's side deservedly ahead at the start of the second-half, after Paul Downing and Milan Lalkovic had earlier rattled the woodwork.

Sheffield United pulled level when Jose Baxter rifled home from 20 yards in the 66th minute.

But, despite continuing to pressure the Blades' goal, Walsall couldn't find a winner with the result meaning they stay third in League One.

In naming his starting line-up, boss Smith made just one change from the FA Cup victory over Fleetwood with the fit-again James O'Connor replacing Matt Preston at centre-back.

It meant the Saddlers continued in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Romaine Sawyers, Rico Henry and Tom Bradshaw all included after their international adventures.

For Nigel Adkins' Blades, the promising Che Adams and Billy Sharp continued their partnership up front.

Before kick-off there was a minutes silence to remember those who died in Paris terror attacks.

Walsall, fresh from a two week break, created the game's first chance inside five minutes with George Evans' curling strike from distance tipped around the post by George Long.

Both teams were passing the ball around crisply in the early stages but it was the visitors who next threatened, with Baxter heading over following a deep cross from Bob Harris.

Walsall responded immediately, Bradshaw just off target with an audacious lob after Long got caught in two minds following Sawyers' long ball.

But as the clock ticked towards the 20 minute mark, Smith's side should have gone ahead but were thwarted by an incredible triple save from Long.

First, Morris saw his strike saved by the goalkeeper who then managed to block Bradshaw's follow-up, before getting back to his feet to push Sawyers' effort around the post.

Undeterred, Smith's side continued to press and an outstanding turn from Evans took three United players out the game, before the Manchester City loanee again tested Long from distance.

The pressure on Adkins' side was now relentless with the Saddlers once again a whisker away from taking the lead, when Downing's header from a corner cannoned off the post.

Playing some of their best football of the season, the rampant Saddlers then saw Lalkovic rattle the bar from 20-yards as the Blades' goal continued to live a charmed life.

The visitors showed they still had a threat in the 40th minute when O'Connor did brilliantly to throw himself in front of an Adams' strike, after the forward combined well in the box with Sharp.

Walsall regained control for the rest of the half but were unable to find the goal their all-round play had deserved as the teams trundled off at half-time.

The second half began with Saddlers skipper Adam Chambers firing wide after being teed up by Bradshaw on the edge of the box.

But minutes later and Smith's side finally got themselves ahead.

Patient build-up play saw the ball worked to Sawyers in the box and the St Kitts and Nevis international delivered a delicious low cross which Bradshaw just had to tap home.

The Blades responded immediately with Adams breaking into the box and hitting a low strike, which Etheridge expertly tipped around the post.

Adkins' side then had huge shouts for a penalty when Adams raced through on goal and lifted the ball over Etheridge, only to be knocked off balance by the goalkeeper.

The striker managed to stay on his feet but O'Connor cleared prompting wild protests from both Adams and the 1,267 travelling support. Yet despite the appeals, the referee waved play on.

Walsall hit back, with Morris and Evans trying their luck from distance.

But the away side pulled level in the 66th minute when, out of nothing, Baxter drilled into the bottom corner from edge of the box.

With the game now end to end, Smith switched Morris for Anthony Forde with 15 minutes remaining. Jordan Cook then replaced Lalkovic.

The substitutions proved positive with Walsall seeing a lot of the ball in advanced areas but without finding that final ball.

Forde then sent a free-kick from just outside the box agonisingly past the post.

But Adkins' side were carrying a threat on the break with Etheridge doing brilliantly to block an Adams strike, after the forward brought a long ball down inside the box.

With the fourth official indicating five minutes added time, a Walsall corner fell to O'Connor in the box but the defender lashed a strike well wide.

The Saddlers again came close to winning it when Jason Demetriou's cross was almost turned into his own net by a Blades defender, but Long got down to claim.

That proved to be the last meaningful action, with Smith's side hugely unfortunate not to claim all three points.