Fleetwood 0 Walsall 0 - Report and pictures

In a clash moved to a noon kick off so it could be shown live on television, Dean Keates’ side were comfortably the better side in a first-half within which they forced 10 corners.

But they were unable to covent their good play into clear cut chances despite Russell Martin heading over from eight-yards when he should haved scored.

Joey Barton’s side improved after the interval with Nicky Devlin producing a goal-saving block to deny Ashley Hunter.

But Walsall also had their chances with substitute Morgan Ferrier heading over late on.

The striker was then unfortunate not to win a penalty when he was blocked from latching onto Luke Leahy’s long-throw.

Analysis

In naming his starting line-up, boss Keates opted to keep faith with the team that secured victory over Coventry in the FA Cup last weekend.

It meant the Saddlers continued in a 4-4-2 formation with Andy Cook joined by Josh Gordon in attack while Josh Ginnelly and Zeli Ismail were on the wings.

There was also a start in central midfield for Liam Kinsella with Isaiah Osbourne not in the match day squad.

Fleetwood lined up in a 4-3-3 system with Ash Hunter and Wes Burn either side of striker Paddy Madden.

It was the Saddlers who started the game the brighter of the two teams with Ginnelly seeing a free-kick from 25-yards held by Alex Cairns while Jon Guthrie headed wide at the back post following a corner.

Keates’ men were were pressing high and looking lively in possession whenever they ventured forward - with Gordon and Ginnelly and particularly bright.

But they survived a scare in the 15th minute when Nathan Sheron collected the ball at the byline before cutting it back to Jason Holt.

Just 12-yards out, the midfielder then blazed a strike over the bar when he should have hit the target.

It was Walsall though who had comfortably been the better team as the clock ticked past the half-hour mark with Keates’ side having forced nine corners to no avail.

And they should have opened the scoring in the 35th minute when Ginnelly’s dangerous cross was met by an unmarked Russell Martin.

But from eight-yards, the former Norwich man miss-timed his header with the ball seemingly hitting his shoulder before sailing over.

Fleetwood responded with Lewis Coyle and Cian Bolger seeing distance strikes dealt with by Liam Roberts.

But as the teams made their way off at the break it was Walsall who had been on top with Keates’ side having forced 10 corners, had seven shots and enjoyed 53 per cent possession.

Having been poor in the opening 45 minutes, it was the Cod Army who flew out the blocks following the re-start.

And they almost took the lead when Hunter’s cross was met on the volley by Ross Wallace.

The winger was on the angle just eight yards out but his fierce was strike was expertly stopped - and held - by Roberts.

Barton’s side had suddenly found some momentum with Walsall having to deal with a number of dangerous balls into the box.

With the game now a lot more open, Fleetwood made their first change as the clock ticked towards the hour mark with Ched Evans replacing Burns.

It was Walsall who threatened next though with Luke Leahy sending in a pin-point cross which Guthrie just failed to connect with.

In the 62nd minute though, the Saddlers were indebted to Nicky Devlin for keeping them on terms.

Following a cross from the right, the ball eventually fell for Hunter who looked destined to fire in from six-yards. But Devlin slid in to make an outstanding, goal-saving, block.

Walsall responded with a short-corner routine ending with Ismail seeing a strike blocked from 12-yards.

The game was proving very finely balanced with 10 minutes still remaining with both teams having the potential to grab a winner.

And Walsall came close to grabbing it when substitute Morgan Ferrier, under pressure from a defender, headed an Ismail cross wide.

A long Leahy from was then flicked right across the face of goal with a defender just doing enough to stop Ferrier tapping in from close range.

Then in stoppage time, Madden turned over a cross from Evans.

Overall though, it was Walsall who were the better team with the Saddlers having worked hard and defended while lacking a touch of quality in the final third.

Teams

Fleetwood: Cairns, Coyle, Holt, Eastham, Bolger, Burns (Evans 59), Madden, Hunter (McAleny 66), Wallace, Husband, Sheron.

Subs not used: Jones, Dempsey, Taylor, Marney, Biggins.

Walsall: Roberts, Devlin, Guthrie, Martin, Leahy, Ismail, Kinsella, Dobson, Ginnelly, Gordon (Ferrier 68), Cook.

Subs not used: Dunn, Wilson, Johnson, Fitzwater, Ronan, Morris.