Scunthorpe 1 Walsall 1 - Report and pictures

In what was their first away match of the 2018/19 campaign, the Saddlers put in one of their best performances on the road in years.

Yet they missed a hatful of chances with Morgan Ferrier going close on four occasions, while Andy Cook and Jon Guthrie hit the woodwork.

Despite their dominance, Walsall initially fell behind to a Lee Novak goal shortly after the re-start.

Zeli Ismail then pulled them level from the penalty spot.

But while they continued to play on the front-foot, they couldn't find the winning goal their performance deserved.

Analysis

In naming his starting line-up, boss Keates made one enforced change from the team that secured an opening day victory over Plymouth.

With Adam Chambers sidelined with a foot injury, Isaiah Osbourne made his second Saddlers debut in central midfield after rejoining the club from Forest Green Rovers on Thursday.

It meant - as expected - Walsall continued in a 4-4-2 formation with Morgan Ferrier partnering Andy Cook in attack.

Scunthorpe lined up in a 4-2-3-1 system with Lee Novak the lone frontman.

George Thomas and Andy Dales were on the wings with Stephen Humphrys in the number 10 role.

Despite being away from home, it was the Saddlers who flew out the blocks with Keates' side seizing the initiative right from the first minute.

And they created three glorious chances to take the lead inside the opening 20 minutes.

The first arrived when a dangerous Luke Leahy corner fell kindly for Jon Guthrie who, from six-yards, sent a volley crashing against the post.

Then just 60 seconds later, Nicky Devlin's ball forward was brilliantly turned into the box on the volley by Jack Fitzwater.

The delivery looked destined to be tapped home by Ferrier who was perfectly placed just yards from goal.

But the ball had just too much pace on it with the striker diverting the ball wide instead of on target.

Undeterred, the Saddlers continued to press and they got another sight of goal when the Iron could only half-clear a Leahy throw.

The ball fell for Josh Ginnelly but 12-yards out he fired over when he should have hit the target.

Scunthorpe responded with Humphrys forcing Roberts into a smart stop from distance.

But Walsall were looking dangerous every time they ventured forward with Ferrier particularly bright.

And they came close again when Leahy clipped a wonderful ball into the box for the striker.

Despite having Charlie Goode for company, Ferrier smartly spun away from his marker.

But his arrowed drive at goal was tipped over by Rory Watson.

Still, the chances continued to arrive for Keates' side with Cook scuffing an effort at goal after bundling his way past two defenders.

Overall, Walsall had produced some of their best football away from home in years.

Yet incredibly they almost found themselves behind at the break when the Iron - who had finally woken up - forced a corner.

Thomas took the set-piece with Goode firing inches wide from close range when he should have scored.

Scunthorpe were never going to be as bad following the re-start.

And they got a goal they hadn't deserved just minute into the second half when Jordan Clarke send in a cross which was only half-cleared.

The ball then fell for Novak who rifled in a strike from 12-yards.

Walsall were furious with the goal with the players protesting Clarke was offside.

Nevertheless, they continued to play on the front foot and almost pulled level when Ginnelly sent in a dangerous cross which Ismail was unable to nod home from close range.

It now felt as if the Iron goal was living a charmed life with Leahy sending in a long throw which Cook flicked on - with Guthrie then inches away from stabbing it home.

In the 65th minute, the Saddlers did pull level though after Ismail darted past Lund in the box before being tripped by the midfielder.

Referee Dean Whitestone pointed to the spot, with Ismail dusting himself down to convert from 12-yards.

From that point, the game was on a knife edge with Jordan Clarke hitting a fierce drive narrowly over for the Iron.

Leahy then sent ina low cross which Ismail collected before seeing a strike blocked.

Some more excellent football then saw Leahy skip past his man before finding Guthrie in the box.

The defender then flicked the ball into the path of Ferrier who, on the angle, drilled a shot wide when he should have scored.

Walsall had created a number of glorious opportunities but the best was still to come.

After Leahy and Ginnelly had combined well, the winger sent a cross into the box which Cook headed onto the bar.

The ball then fell for Ferrier but while everyone in the ground was waiting for the net to ripple, the striker fired wide with the goal at his mercy.

From that point, the Iron pushed forward to snatch what would have been an unjust victory.

But while it was nervous at times, Walsall held on to pick up what, before kick-off, would have been a good point.

In the end though, their performance had more than warranted all three.

Teams

Scunthorpe: Watson, Clarke (Morris 78), Goode, Burgess, Borthwick-Jackson, Perch, Lund (Horsfield 65), Humphrys, Thomas, Dales, Novak.

Subs not used: Flatt, McArdle, Butroid, Colclough, Olomola, Morris

Walsall: Roberts, Devlin, Fitzwater, Guthrie, Leahy, Ismail, Dobson, Osbourne (Kinsella 69), Ginnelly (Wilson 87), Cook, Ferrier (Gordon 90).

Subs not used: Dunn; Kouhyar, Morris, Candlin.