TOMMY Mooney was on the mark as The Saddlers opened the season with a 1-1 draw against Carlisle United

The weather was befitting of the opening day of the season as The Saddlers took time to get into their stride in the opening exchanges with Carlisle enjoying plenty of possession.

Walsall managed to get their first move of the game together just past the quarter-hour mark when Carlos Carneiro drove forward before finding Paul Hall whose cross was headed wide by Daniel Fox.

The opening goal that the visitors were threatening came on 18 minutes as the lively Kevin Gall was left in space through the middle before firing sweetly past Clayton Ince.

It was a nervy opening for Richard Money's men, typified on 22 minutes as Anthony Gerrard needlessly conceded a corner. He managed to redeem himself somewhet by heading clear the resulting corner kick.

A foul on Carneiro, who was making his Football League debut, presented The Saddlers with a free-kick in a damgerous position but Fox's low effort was slammed into the defensive wall.

In the closing stages of the first half, Darren Wrack had to be alert to clear a deep cross which evaded Ince at the far post.

The Saddlers made the perfect start to the second period as Mooney powered forward before finding the net with a neatly-placed effort that beat Westwood's despairing dive.

Walsall really came out with all guns blazing and Mooney was denied on a couple of occasions as firstly his shot was blocked in front of goal by Danny Livesey and then in the next attack, Westwood spilled an effort into his path before recovering to make a brave save.

There was a good reaction save at the other end by Ince as he held onto Danny Graham's header right on the goal-line.

Alex Nicholls was introduced in place of Hall before a neat move ended with Fox's high ball finding the head of Carneiro whose effort lacked any real power and was easy for Westwood.

After a Saddlers' attack broke down, Jeff Smith's speculative effort was tipped over by Ince as the resulting corner was cleared to safety.

Youngster Troy Deeney replaced Carneiro on 81 minutes and six minutes later, Gerrard's cross to the far post was headed back across goal as Westwood gathered ahead of Deeney who was lurking.

The game was finely balanced as the clock ticked down and in the end both sides had to settle for a share of the opening day spoils.

PHOTOS: David Linney Photography