Portsmouth 1 Walsall 1 - Report and pictures
Luke Leahy netted his first goal for Walsall as they fought hard for a 1-1 draw at Portsmouth.
In front of a packed-out crowd of 17,198 at Fratton Park, Leahy put a resolute Saddlers ahead just into the second half - tapping in at the far post.
Boss Jon Whitney will be pleased with his side's showing, but they were denied all three points as Brett Pittman replied from the spot after goalkeeper Mark Gillespie brought down substitute Nicke Kabamba in the last quarter of an hour.
Analysis
Both sides had the same league record from this League One season going into the game - a win and a loss.
Walsall, though, went into the clash very much as the underdogs as they had not registered a victory on the road in 2017 while Portsmouth, managed by former Wolves boss Kenny Jackett, had suffered just one defeat at Fratton Park since January.
They also had not conceded more than one goal in a game at home since last November.
The Saddlers' starting XI was unchanged from their 2-1 win over Oldham Athletic last weekend, and they were in their usual 3-5-2 formation.
There was one change to the substitutes bench from that game, though, as Florent Cuvelier came in for Jordan Sangha.
Meanwhile, 2008 FA Cup winners Pompey had former Banks's Stadium favourite Milan Lalkovic starting up front.
After a minute's silence for the Barcelona attack victims, Whitney's side made a lively start.
They were keen to press high up the pitch but that eagerness almost cost them early on.
Skipper Adam Chambers flew in with a late lunge on Adam May three minutes in and he was shown a yellow card, but reds have been given for challenges like that.
Apart from that scare, it was all going to plan for Walsall in the opening exchanges - forcing mistakes from Portsmouth and frustrating a loud crowd.
They had Kieron Morris fizz a shot just wide of the post from 18 yards in the 14th minute, and Leahy also went close with a header soon after.
The hosts came into the game a little more after that - having more possession - but the Saddlers were holding firm and the pace slowed by the half-hour mark.
James Wilson, one of the three Saddlers centre-halves who was thwarting Pompey's advances, then got the home fans jeering as he escaped a booking for a bad tackle.
There was an enforced change, for Jackett's side, as the injured Drew Talbot was replaced by former Wolves youngster Kyle Bennett - and that was last notable bit of action before the interval.
There were no changes at the break and Walsall made a dream start to the second period, going ahead within a couple of minutes of the restart.
A clever ball across the face of goal from Wilson was finished off by the superb Leahy, delighting the travelling Saddlers supporters and further agitating the Fratton Park faithful.
The Saddlers were then looking calmer in possession, and the hosts appeared flustered.
Tensions then grew as Nicky Devlin left a foot in on Jack Whatmough and got cautioned. Amadou Bakayoko was soon booked after a similar incident.
The young striker, fresh off that yellow card, almost put Whitney's men two ahead in the 68th minute - his low drive saved, and the follow-up blocked.
Walsall were left to rue those missed opportunities as they gave away a penalty shortly after, goalkeeper Gillespie tripping substitute Kabamba.
Brett Pittman stepped up to the spot and made no mistake, lashing the ball into the corner to bring the scores level.
Bakayoko was hauled off, and Cuvelier was also introduced, as the Saddlers looked to calm things back down again.
The Pompey supporters were rallying behind their men to find a winner, but Pittman had a couple of efforts fly over and it ended in a draw - a fair result.
Key moments
3 - Late, late lunge from Walsall skipper Adam Chambers. The home fans call for a red card but lenient referee Brett Huxtable opts for a yellow.
14 - Saddlers wing-back Luke Leahy's long throw causes problems in the box. The ball drops to Kieran Morris on the edge of the 18-yard area and his shot is just wide.
16 - Another good chance for Jon Whitney's side Leahy's header from close range goes out for a goal kick. Sharp start.
31 - Good cross from the right from Pompey full-back Drew Talbot. Brett Pittman gets his head on it but Walsall make the block.
47 - GOAL! Walsall take the lead and it is Leahy with the goal. He surges forward and gets on the end of a cross from the right, side-footing home from a few yards out.
68 - Amadou Bakayoko, twice, goes close to doubling the Saddlers' lead. His low strike is saved by Luke McGee and the ball comes back to the striker, who sees his second effort blocked and cleared.
73 - Penalty to Portsmouth as Walsall goalkeeper Mark Gillespie trips Nicke Kibamba.
74 - Goal! Brett Pittman scores from the spot, right into the corner, igniting a huge roar from the home crowd.
Teams
Portsmouth (4-2-3-1): McGee; Talbot (Bennett, 36), Burgess, Whatmough, Haunstrup; Rose, May; Evans, Pitman (c), Lalkovic (Main, 65); Naismith (Kabamba, 65)
Subs not used: Davis, Chaplin, Close, Bass (gk)
Walsall (3-5-2): Gillespie; Wilson, Guthrie, Donnellan; Devlin, Chambers (c), Edwards, Morris (Cuvelier, 70), Leahy; Oztumer, Bakayoko (Jackson, 76)
Subs not used: L Roberts, K Roberts, Kinsella, Kouhyar, Candlin
Man of the match
Luke Leahy - Got the goal for Walsall and performed superbly at left wing-back, knowing just when to hold back and when to burst forward.
