Walsall 1 Sheffield United 1: Adkins pleased after Blades rescue point

Tom Bradshaw edged the hosts in front during a one-sided opening period before Jose Baxter equalised for Nigel Adkins’s side.

A fast and furious finale saw both teams go close to claiming a winner but to no avail as the contest finished all-square.

Walsall might not be League One’s biggest team, but they pass and move with a precision few others can match.

United spent most of the first half chasing shadows as Dean Smith’s men pinged the ball around the pitch before Conor Sammon’s introduction changed the game’s dynamic.

Earlier, Bradshaw had given Walsall a deserved lead when he converted Romaine Sawyers’s cross. But, not for the first time in recent weeks, United showed commendable durability to stay in touch before Baxter dragged them level.

The visitors, who were furious not to have been awarded a penalty when Che Adams was forced to hurdle Neil Etheridge as he burst through Walsall’s defence, saw Baxter again go close. Adams was then denied by Etheridge as added time approached.

Afterwards, Adkins was full of praise for his side, particular for the character they showed in coming from behind against one of the league’s top sides.

Adkins said: “The lads have shown good character again, haven’t they?

“We’ve come away from home against a good side. I thought we started well, we were on the front foot and 20, 25 minutes into the game they got a better grip of the game.”

“They scored – good character from the lads to come back. Jose scored, we could have scored three towards the end. It was end to end at one stage.

“We should have had two penalties in our minds; he didn’t give it, they’ve hit a post, so all in all we’ve come away from home with a point.

“I’m sure it was an entertaining game.”

Walsall: Etheridge, Downing, O’Connor, Henry, Demetriou, Morris (Forde 77), Chambers, Evans, Lalkovic (Cook 81), Sawyers, Bradshaw.

Unused substitutes: Taylor, Baxendale, MacGillivray, Preston, Flanagan.

Sheffield United: Long, Freeman, Basham, Collins, Harris, Baxter, Coutts, Hammond, Campbell-Ryce (Scougall 72), Adams, Sharp (Sammon 62). Unused substitutes: Howard, Done, McEveley, Reed, McGahey.

Referee: Geoff Eltringham (Tyne & Wear).