Greg Abbott made just one change to the starting line up that had earned him a well deserved point at Elland Road on Tuesday with Scott Dobie, on a run of two goals in two games, stepping up to replace the unlucky Marc Bridge-Wilkinson.

The game took a while to warm up with a Jamie Vincent cross from the left wing the only real moment of attacking play mounted by either side in the opening 15 minutes. Deeney got a head to it but he could only help it on its way as it bounced away to the touch line.

Kevan Hurst had a wild effort from 23-yards on 16 minutes when Kavanagh found him in space, but Gilmartin was able to watch it all the way as it sailed into the stands.

Matt Robson had a great opportunity to at least test the keeper in the 24th minute when a Danny Livesey cross was only half cleared. It bounced up off Weston and dropped invitingly for the volley. The United left winger opted to try and get it under control rather than strike it first time and that allowed Weston time to recover and block the shot.

Scott Dobie was close to opening the scoring in the 27th minute when Matt Robson beat his man on the left flank and cut inside. His low delivery evaded everyone but the big striker couldn't apply the finishing touch at the back stick as it skipped away just in front of him.

Walsall scored with their first real attack of the game on 33 minutes as they instigated a lightning quick break from the back. The ball came to Byfield in the area and he took advantage of a Keogh slip to take himself into a shooting position. His connection was clean and Pidgeley had no chance as the ball nestled in his bottom corner.

Anyinsah beat two players to create another chance for United on 38 minutes but Dobie was frustrated to see his shot blocked as he strode into the area. And Deeney brought a two-handed save out of Pidgeley at the other end as both teams started to up the tempo.

United got themselves back on level pegging on 44 minutes when Tom Taiwo picked up a loose ball in midfield. He spotted Matt Robson overlapping on the left wing, and he didn't disappoint as he carried the ball forward before smashing an unstoppable shot past Gilmartin and into the back of the net, via the woodwork.

Half Time: Walsall 1 - 1 United

Graham Kavanagh gifted the ball to Matt Richards with a dangerous cross field pass on 47 minutes, but the Saddlers man lost his footing and screwed his shot well wide.

Byfield missed his header when he was clear inside the area moments later, and a cushioned back pass Harte, from a wicked Vincent delivery, had hearts in mouths until Pidgeley plucked it out of the air.

Robson sent Anyinsah clear on 52 minutes with a ball over the top, and his near post cross had to be put behind by Hughes as Dobie tried to make it his.

Good football from Walsall resulted in a cross from Bradley on 57 minutes and Livesey had to stick a boot out to prevent Deeney from getting on the end of it.

Referee Mr Scott went into the bad books when he blew for a foul on Scott Dobie without realising that Joe Anyinsah was about to go clean through.

Rhys Weston had a free kick diverted wide on 73 minutes with the game again struggling to find a gear, and Joe Anyinsah blazed over from 25-yards at the other end when he had other options.

Substitute Steve Jones made an immediate impact in the 75th minute when he was in the right place at the right time at the back post. Troy Deeney did the hard work before rifling a blistering shot against the upright, and the nippy replacement was on hand to sweep the rebound into the back of the net with Pidgeley still prostate from his initial dive.

Byfield crunched a long ball over the top into the side netting on 84 minutes as the Saddlers tried to defend from the front, and they defended well at a Robson cross late in the game when Gilmartin tipped it over the bar.

But Richard Keogh grabbed a late point when Kavanagh swept the ball back into the box. The alert defender picked his spot with a deft header that sent the Carlisle fans behind the goal wild.

Goals

Walsall - Byfield (33), Jones (74)

United - Robson (44), Keogh (90)

Bookings

Walsall - McDonald (68)

United - Keogh (90)

Teams

Walsall - Gilmartin, Weston, Hughes, Mattis, Deeney, Nicholls (Jones 71), Bradley, Vincent, Richards, Byfield (Parkin 87), McDonald. Subs (not used) - Sansara, Smith, O'Keefe, Westlake, Ince.

United - Pidgeley, Raven, Keogh, Livesey (Bridge-Wilkinson 81), Harte, Hurst, Taiwo, Kavanagh, Robson, Dobie (Offiong 75), Anyinsah. Subs (not used) - Collin, Horwood, Murphy, Rothery, Burns.

Away fans - 543