THE SADDLERS played out a goalless draw with Staffordshire rivals, Port Vale.
Walsall came out of the blocks looking bright and seeing plenty of the early ball.
However, it was Port Vale who had the first real chance when loanee, David McGoldrick looked to make something happen with a weaving run that saw him fire into the side-netting.
Minutes later Vale skipper, George Pilkington headed a cross to the far post back into the danger zone but The Saddlers managed to scramble clear.
At the other end, Scott Dann's effort from a Danny Sonner corner sailed over the crossbar before a positive run through the middle of the park by Daniel Fox ended with him hitting a screaming effort from distance that beat the 'keeper but landed narrowly wide.
In the next attack, Martin Butler's through-ball was chased gamely by strike partner, Paul Hall only for Joe Anyon in The Valiants' goal to clear long.
A handball by Vale gave Richard Money's men a free-kick in a promising position which Sonner curled goalwards only to be denied by Anyon's smart save.
Former Vale man Sonner was again involved in the heart of the action on the half-hour mark when his inviting ball into the penalty area was touched out for a corner as Butler lurked.
An excellent ball by Wrack picked out Fox in space just inside the area but the ball sat up too much for him and this allowed Anyon to make a brave block as he pulled the trigger.
There were loud appeals for a penalty when Rhys Weston's cross appeared to be handled but the referee waved away the protests.
As the half came to a close, Wrack was presented with a good chance as Hall played him in but as the 'keeper forced him wide, Vale got men back to block.
There was still time for Fox to play through Anthony Gerrard, who was in a central midfield berth, but as he slipped the ball past the 'keeper it tamely rolled the wrong side of the post.
It was certainly an encouraging first half display from Richard Money's men.
A neat turn and powerful shot from the edge of the area by Richards flew over as the visitors were the first to threaten in the second period.
Then in the next attack, the ball deflected up to McGoldrick who failed to make a proper connection and the chance was lost.
A double substitute saw Daniel Fox and then Danny Sonner replaced by Ishmel Demontagnac and David McDermott respectively.
A deep cross into the penalty area by Weston on 72 minutes saw Justin Miller forced to head out for a corner right in front of his own goal and from the resulting flag-kick there was an almighty scramble in the goalmouth.
Roper was up from the back to make his presence felt as Gerrard saw his effort blocked. The loose ball was picked up by Butler but he was crowded out and in the end the visitors was relieved to survive the onslaught.
At the other end, a slip by Roper let in Richards who found space only for his low, placed effort to be saved low down by Ince.
There was another change as Alex Nicholls replaced Gerrard as The Saddlers pushed for the winner with Weston finding Butler who held the ball up well before teeing up Demontagnac for a shot that he blazed over.
A foul on Butler by Robin Hulbert gave Walsall a last-gasp free-kick that Paul Boertien pumped into the box but the offside flag was soon up as the game ended goalless.
PHOTOS: David Linney Photography
