Walsall Boston stalemate

The news prior to the game was about whose there and whose missing. Of course Butler and Roper were out, and replaced by Tommy Wright and Scott Dann. However Dean Keates and Darren Wrack were also absent despite hopes they would be fit to be included. So that left Fox and returning Dobson in midfield with Bedeau and Wright out wide, with Wright and Sam upfront.

In the first half we were quiet ineffective as the defence Westwood, Dann, Gerrard and Taylor coped with the direct style of Boston, Keeper Clayton Ince was never really stretched and did everything that was asked of him. However going forward we created nothing although Tommy Wright did have one pop shot which missed the target.

The second half was better as the midfield came to grips with the directness and pressing of a physical Boston side. However it was Boston who took the lead in the 55 minute when a long punt from defence found the Saddlers defence napping and as Dann and Gerrard tried to close down the ball was drilled into the net.

In what was a better second half chances which fell to Tommy Wright went begging until he bravely headed home a Mark Wright corner to make it 1-1. The saddlers got better and the introduction of Ishmel Demontagnac with Bedeau going upfront gave us more going forward.

However it ended all square, two away draws isn’t what we wanted in response to the Swindon defeat but in truth it is another point towards the promotion target. Just ask Swindon who went down 2-1 at Macclesfield to drop to fourth we have a six point advantage over them. Things in the other games was looking good until a late McLeod goal and a Nathan Stanton own goal gave them a 2-1 win over Rochdale, to move into second four points behind us. Lincoln moved into third with a good win at Peterborough, Amoo with both goals in a 2-1 win. Hartlepools win over Bury means we are now 15 points clear of the play off chasing pack.

On a worrying note defender Anthony Gerrard was carried off. There is no news on the injury. Today Westwood moved to centre half with Pead going into the full back berth, At least Roper will be back for Boxing Day.