Saddlers so close

25 January 2011 23:00
Oldham boosted their play-off hopes with a hard-earned point from a 1-1 draw at relegation-threatened Walsall who needed a win at the Banks's Stadium to climb off the bottom of the table. In a lively game both sides created and missed chances and the Saddlers had been the better side early in the first half when teenage striker Will Grigg had three opportunities, but failed to beat Latics goalkeeper Ben Amos, on loan from Manchester United. Walsall paid for that when, in the 39th minute, Oldham took the lead. Filipe Morais created a shooting chance for himself on the edge of the box and drilled a low shot past James Walker. But Walsall showed their fighting spirit, equalising in the 61st minute. Alex Nicholls set up 19-year-old full-back Darryl Westlake to score his first goal for the club with a fierce low drive. Both sides tried hard to grab the winner, but could not manage it and the Saddlers have now gone six games without a win, while Oldham had to settle for seventh place in the table.

Source: PA