THE SADDLERS battled well to bring home a point from fellow play-off hopefuls, Nottingham Forest.

The home side started well and within the opening two minutes, Clayton Ince had to be alert to block on the edge of the area from Thornhill following a corner. Then Ince did well to push a low Nathan Tyson effort wide after he was teed up by Sammy Clingan.

Walsall found themselves pegged back for much of the opening exchanges and Cohen's ball in to Brett Ormerod saw his deft effort well pushed over by Ince.

With 17 minutes on the clock, Richard Money's men created their best chance as a free-kick from Lee Holmes was only half-cleared as far as Anthony Gerrard whose effort from a good position was weak and wide.

The Saddlers were playing their way into proceedings, however Tyson made room for a curling long-range effort on 25 minutes which was heading goalwards until the alert Ince made another smart stop.

It was becoming an evenly-balanced encounter with Walsall, who were backed by a large and vocal following, posing a number of questions without troubling the home 'keeper too much.

As the opening period came to a close, Rhys Weston forced a corner which fell to the recalled Michael Dobson who tried to get in a shot only for Forest to defend in numbers and launch an attack of their own which ended with Tyson using his pace to close in on goal and unleash a shot that struck the crossbar and bounced out to safety.

A quick throw-in by Paul Boertien found Edrissa Sonko, who was back from injury, in the 45th minute and he cut inside to test Smith as the loose ball found Weston on the far side and he lashed a powerful low ball into the danger zone which flashed agonisingly beyond everyone.

The home side got their noses in front four minutes into the second half when McGugan linked up with Tyson who burst forward before delivering an inviting low ball across goal which Ormerod was able to convert from close range.

Within seconds Forest almost doubled their advantage in identical fashion as the lively Tyson linked up with Ormerod who this time failed to make a proper connection under pressure.

With Ishmel Demontagnac on in place of Holmes, Walsall were back on level terms on 53 minutes as Kevin Betsy found Sonko who in turn played in Mooney at the far post and his effort from close range found its way into the net via a deflection.

It sent the travelling contingent wild with delight and after Tyson headed just over from a good position, Gerrard's header at the other end was cleared in front of goal by Clingan.

There was a good effort from Sonko following neat build-up play which dipped just over from distance. It was to be the Gambian International's last involvement as he was replaced by Troy Deeney.

As the game neared a conclusion, a ball in from the right picked out the head of Mark Bradley whose effort struck the crossbar with Smith beaten.

It was a let-off for the home side who appeared to be running out of ideas against a resolute and determined Walsall side.

There was a further change as David McDermott replaced Betsy before Weston saw yellow for a late challenge on the ever dangerous Tyson which presented Forest with a free-kick in a good wide position that was delivered straight into the grateful arms of Ince.

Right at the death Gerrard's purposeful run from deep ended with his effort tame and easy for Smith to gather as honours ended even.