The Blades were forced to come from behind after former Nottingham Forest and Chesterfield forward Craig Westcarr had given the Saddlers a first-half lead and arguably will feel as though more goals should have come their way had keeper George Long not been in top form towards the end; but United, who had chances to advance further themselves stole a point with Chris Porter’s close range goal after the hour mark.
For Walsall it was a pivotal match as the Bescot Stadium club had gone twelve games unbeaten and become unlikely contenders for the play-offs and three points would have gone welcomed as they push for the top six.
Whilst united, who are making every attempt not to make the play-offs this time round too were looking for maximum points as they hope to slip into the automatic zone come the end of April.
Walsall, the hosts started the day in eight but were without key striker Will Gregg who had racked up 19 goals to date this season and was an obvious absentee. Blades boss Danny Wilson was forced to make key changes, with defender Tony McMahon suspended for two matches allowed fringe full-back Darryl Westlake, formerly with Walsall to deputise, but there was good news to be had with Matt Hill and Dave Kitson making the starting line-up despite being doubtful.
Sheffield United didn’t make the brightest of starts but on the 22nd minute Jamie Murphy almost escaped his marker – former Blade Andy Taylor but his opponent recovered well to tackle and three minutes later a Barry Robson free-kick was met by the head of Neill Collins but failed to direct the ball on target.
At the other end Adam Chambers fired over the top, showing intentions that they were looking for goals and more importantly points from this game. Hill was in the firing line when, combined with Collins deflected Jamie Paterson’s effort on 36 minutes after James Baxendale had crossed.
Moments before the break Febian Brady felt that he should have given the hosts the lead but dragged his effort wide of the target, but a minute later United’s goal had been breached when Westcarr, running onto Baxendale’s pass slotted the ball home.
Wilson made changes at half-time with Chris Porter entering the fray in place of Dave Kitson, it was to be a move which prompted disagreement within the travelling fans but proved a shear mastermind on the managerial front.
Prior to United levelling the score, which came on 63rd minute defender Hill got in amongst the action and in a rare feat of action narrowly flashed a shot wide of goal, whilst Walsall made changes of their own; Taylor being replaced by Malvind Benning.
Long was a key factor in the Blades not losing this match, during which he made excellent saves to keep them in it, denying Brady before Callum McFadzean replaced Barry Robson. Then the goal came.
McFadzean was brought down on the edge of the box by Butler. Danny Higginbotham drilled the free-kick to no prevail which hit the wall, fortunately the ball fell to Kevin McDonald who fired at goal, it took a deflection before PORTER stuck a foot on it to score.
Minutes later Jonathan Forte had a chance to net a winner but his close range shot drifted wide whilst Long continued to make great saves to keep Walsall at bay. In the end a 1-1 draw was all these two teams could muster and the points drops United to fifth in the table.
United will host Crawley Town, Swindon Town and Brentford (all at Bramall Lane) within the next ten days, it will be after these matches which will see if automatic promotion is within their sights or another year slumped in the play-offs.