Walsall slip again as promotion push takes a hit | OneFootball

Walsall’s rough patch continued as their winless run hit 12 games, following a frustrating 0-0 draw away at 10-man Newport – a result that’s done their automatic promotion chances no favours.

The Saddlers failed to make the extra man count after Newport’s Ciaran Brennan was sent off with just over 10 minutes to go. In fact, it was the hosts who nearly stole it late on, with Josh Martin seeing his one-on-one effort saved.

Then came some chaos right at the death – Walsall thought they’d snatched all three points when Oisin McEntee bundled the ball in, only for it to be ruled out for handball.

Referee Sam Purkiss had originally pointed to the spot, sending the away fans into raptures behind the goal, but after a quick word with his linesman, the decision was rightly chalked off – to the relief of the Newport faithful.

The point sees Matt Taylor's side temporarily move back into third thanks to the early kick-off, but with other promotion-chasing sides playing later, they’re unlikely to stay there for long.

It’s now 12 games without a win for the Saddlers – the second-longest winless streak in League Two this season, behind only Gillingham, who went 13 without a victory between December and March.