Walsall 1-1 Brentford

A close range header from Craig Westcarr on the hosts of half time was enough to earn the Saddlers a point against promotion chasing Brentford.

The game started quietly with both sides perhaps guilty of showing the other a bit too much respect, and the first half an hour passed by without any real incident of note. But that changed on the half hour mark when out of nothing a Brentford left wing cross found Saddlers nemesis Clayton Donaldson, who got up above Andy Taylor to power an excellent header past the despairing left hand of Richard O`Donnell.

This did seem to spark the home side into life, but it did have the feel of the Saddlers needing half time just to regroup. Then, in the dying moments of the first half, top scorer Westcarr drew Walsall level. It was his corner that originally caused problems in the visitors defence, and after a couple of failed attempts to clear the ball was eventually returned to the danger zone by James Chambers, who found Milan Lalkovic at the back post, who produced a towering header back across goal for Westcarr to head home from point blank range. It left the game nicely poised at half time, and the prospect of a fascinating second half.

It turned out to be just that, as the home side showed just why they`re in the playoff mix while the visitors showed just how they`d managed to bully, foul and niggle their way to the top of the league. To say they were getting more and more physical as the game wore on is an understatement, and quite how it took to until the 77th minute for the first booking of the game will go down alongside the disappearance of Shergar and the whereabouts of Lord Lucan as one of the greatest mysteries of our time.

Before that, a penalty appeal for a nudge on Febian Brandy was, quite rightly, ignored, and just seconds later a cross from the right saw Marcello Trotta blaze over for the visitors best chance of the half. Lalkovic was tormenting McCormack at right back, and the Saddlers were looking dangerous going forward, but with the lack of a killer instinct, actual goalscoring opportunities remained at a premium. Westcarr firing over in the closing stages was the closest we actually got to a winner.

So Peterborough`s win sees us drop out of the top six for now on goal difference, but it did see us bring to an end the table toppers eight match winning run for the second time this season, having previously done it to Leyton Orient in September. It`s a point I`d have taken at the start of the day and one that could prove very vital come the end of the season.

P.S. For those wondering why there`s no mention of Will Grigg in this report, he really was that anonymous.