Burton 0 Walsall 0 - Report and pictures

In what was a keenly contested clash at the Pirelli Stadium, both teams cancelled each other out in an uneventful first-half.

After the interval though, the Saddlers created two glorious chances to grab the points.

Matt Jarvis fired just millimeters wide after connecting with a Zeli Ismail cross.

Josh Gordon then forced keeper Bradley Collins into an outstanding save with a header from a Jarvis’ cross.

But over the course of the 90 minutes, both teams defended well to earn a share of the spoils.

The performance was undoubtedly a huge step in the right direction for Dean Keates’ side following the win over Bradford last weekend.

But results elsewhere in the battle to stay in League One went against them with Oxford beating Scunthorpe and Bristol Rovers thumping Blackpool.

Those results mean Walsall dropped to 20th in League One, just two points above the drop zone. Remarkably though, they are also just two points from 13th.

ANALYSIS

Keates made one enforced change when naming his starting line-up with Andy Cook serving the first of a three game ban following his red card against Bradford.

In his absence, George Dobson was restored to the side in a move that saw the Saddlers switch to a 4-3-3 formation.

Dobson joined Liam Kinsella and Joe Edwards in the middle of the park while up front Zeli Ismail and Matt Jarvis operated either side of Josh Gordon.

Burton lined up in the same system with Liam Boyce the central striker, David Templeton was on the left and Marcus Harness on the right.

In what was a keenly contested opening 20 minutes, the two teams largely cancelled each other out in what proved to be a real battle.

It was Burton though who were showing the more invention. And they almost took the lead through the game’s first moment of quality.

Initially, after Lucas Akins and Harness combined well down the right, a low cross fell kindly for Templeton.

But while he arrowed a low strike at goal, Jon Guthrie was in the right place to make a crucial block.

From that point, the game continued to be a scrappy affair with Walsall pressing well to stop Burton from creating.

But they also struggled for clear cut chances with their best moment arriving in added time at the end of the first half.

A wonderful Dobson ball behind the defence got Jarvis away with the former Wolves man then whipping in an inviting cross.

But the delivery was millimeters too high for Dan Scarr who just failed to connect at the back post.

It was Burton who threatened first after the re-start with Templeton curling a fairly tame strike at goal which was comfortably stopped by Liam Roberts.

As the clock ticked towards the hour mark, the game began to open with Walsall creating a decent opportunity to open the scoring.

Jarvis picked out Edwards in the box with the midfielder doing well to control the cross before firing at goal.

But while the effort was on target Kyle McFadzean was in the right place to make a block.

Luke Leahy then curled a wonderful effort from 20-yards which a scrambling Bradley Collins just tipped over the bar.

Burton responded with Colin Daniel hitting a fierce effort from 25-yards which was beaten away by Roberts.

In the 71st minute though, the Saddlers really should have opened the scoring.

Ismail did wonderfully well to trick his way past Daniel and hit the byline before picking out Jarvis with a perfect delivery.

The Norwich loanne then steered a low drive at goal but it sailed just the wrong side of the post and into the side netting with half the ground thinking it was in.

With a little over 10 minutes remaining, there was a sense the game could go either way.

But Walsall again should have took the lead when Jarvis whipped in a wonderful cross which Gordon headed towards goal.

The effort looked destined to hit the back of the net, but Collins made a spectacular one-handed stop to push the ball away.

Walsall continued to press for a winner in the closing stages. But while they sent a number of decent crosses into the box, Burton defended them well to earn a point.

TEAMS

Burton: Collins, Buxton, Allen (Brayford 69), McFadzean, Fraser, Atkins, Templeton (Wallace 77), Harness, Quinn, Daniel, Boyce (Bradley 86).

Subs not used: Bywater, Sbarra, Bradley, Miller, Hutchinson.

Walsall: Roberts, Leahy, Guthrie, Scarr, Devlin, Kinsella, Dobson, Edwards, Ismail, Jarvis, Gordon.

Subs not used: Dunn, Fitzwater, Norman, Osbourne, Laird, Oteh, Blackett-Taylor.

Referee: Paul Marsden.