- Honours even at Poundland Bescot Stadium
- Clean sheet on debut for keeper Beadle
- Four games unbeaten for The Railwaymen
Crewe Alexandra had to settle for a share of the spoils at Walsall on Tuesday evening.
Dan Agyei had a goal ruled out for offside and Connor O’Riordan nearly nicked it at the end, but Lee Bell’s men could not find a way through.
Keeper James Beadle impressed with a clean sheet on his debut, and he was well protected by the men in front of him.
That makes it four games without defeat for Crewe, who stay 17th in League Two.
Manager Bell made three changes to the side that drew at Harrogate, handing a debut to 18-year-old Beadle.
Sean Robertson and Tariq Uwakwe were recalled, with Dave Richards, Callum Ainley and Conor Thomas dropping to the bench.
Walsall, who were captained by former Crewe man Donervon Daniels, went close on eight minutes when Isaac Hutchinson raced in on goal but he was denied by the legs of Beadle from just outside the area.
Hutchinson had two more tries from range before the half-hour mark, but both were wide of the target.
It was a contrast of styles, as the powerful home side looked to go long while Crewe knocked the ball around nicely when in possession.
Beadle punched away a volleyed attempt from Jamile Matt, and the keeper easily held a free header from Robbie Willmott, as the hosts pressed.
But Crewe finished the half strongly and thought they had hit the front when Agyei tucked home from an Elliott Nevitt flick-on, but the assistant referee’s flag cut celebrations short.
Beadle made a fine save at his near post to beat away a Hutchinson shot as Walsall enjoyed the best of the opening stages of the second half.
Both goalkeepers were well protected for the most part, as the sides struggled to create clear-cut chances.
The action was saved for the final stages, when Knowles saw a shot blocked from close range, and captain Luke Offord headed away as Walsall looked to steal it.
At the other end Saddlers keeper Owen Evans made a superb stretching save when Connor O’Riordan’s effort flicked off a defender and looked set to loop in.
But the sides could not be separated after four minutes of added time.
Walsall (5-3-2): Evans; Daniels, Monthe, White; Knowles, Comley, Allen (Gordon, 77), Hutchinson, Willmott; Matt (Williams, 46), Stevens (James-Taylor, 71).
Subs not used: Riley, McEntee, Low, Songo’o.
Booked: Knowles, Comley.
Crewe (3-5-2): Beadle; O’Riordan, McDonald, Offord; Adebisi (Thomas, 71), Robertson, Finnigan, Tabiner (Ainley, 67), Uwakwe; Agyei, Nevitt (Sambou, 86).
Subs not used: Richards, Sass-Davies, Brook, Griffiths.
Booked: Offord, Robertson, Finnigan.
Referee: David Rock.
Attendance: 5,071 (301).