THE SADDLERS secured a replay in the second round of the FA Cup as we drew 1-1 at Northampton Town.

Richard Money's side attacked straight from the kick-off when Tommy Mooney looked to thread a ball through to Edrissa Sonko, however, Mark Bunn in the home goal was alert to the early danger.

He was beaten in the fourth minute, though, as Mark Bradley expertly dissected The Cobblers' defence to play in Mooney who calmly fired home into the far corner of the net.

The lead lasted just three minutes when the giant Poul Hubertz put the ball into the area where Andy Kirk found space before turning the ball past the exposed Clayton Ince.

The equaliser lifted the home side as they started to pose a few questions of the Walsall rear-guard. Ryan Gilligan went close with a strike that flew just wide, whilst Hubertz's height gave cause for concern, particularly at set-pieces.

Nevertheless, The Saddlers still tried to play neat football at every opportunity and on 21 minutes Sonko's high ball found Michael Ricketts in an onside position but his final shot lacked the necessary power to trouble Bunn.

After Ishmel Demontagnac was booked for a late challenge, his cross to the far post was headed back across goal by Sonko but Mooney couldn't make a proper connection.

There was a tremendous strike from distance by Darren Wrack on the half-hour mark which was destined for the top corner until Bunn managed to get a fingertip to push the ball onto the bar and out to safety. It was a fantastic save by the home 'keeper.

Andy Holt saw an effort well blocked by Rhys Weston before Mooney went into the book for taking his complaints too far following a foul as the half-time interval approached.

The second period started with Hughes seeing a deft header fly just over from a corner as The Cobblers made a purposeful start to the half with Hubertz once more at the heart of their attacking ideas.

There were a couple of changes for The Saddlers just before the hour when Sonko was replaced by Paul Hall and Alex Nicholls came on in place of Demontagnac.

The game seemed to be heading for a draw as the half went on with both sides cancelling each other out. Hall tried his best to make something happen with a mazy run which ended with the experienced wide-man hitting a tame effort into the side netting.

Then a corner for Walsall caused problems for Bunn who failed to gather the ball and this allowed Anthony Gerrard to send a header dipping just over the crossbar with the 'keeper floundering.

Things were petering out until a flashpoint in the 84 minute which was sparked by a challenge between Weston and Jones on the Walsall right. The majority of players from both sides waded in as the match officials battled for order. The incident ended with a booking for both Weston and Jones plus a handshake.

It was to be the last real action as neither side looked like taking the tie and so we will meet again at the Banks's Stadium on Tuesday, December 11th (kick-off 7.45pm). Ticket prices will be announced via www.saddlers.co.uk and the local press this week.