Swansea City 1 Walsall 1

It was a mark of Walsall's renaissance under Kevan Broadhurst that they spent more than 70 minutes seem-ingly on course for victory away to a team chasing promotion to the Coca-Cola Championship.

But old failings haunted Walsall and, while they deserved their goal, scored by Paul Devlin in the 17th minute, they could only pick up a point when Adebayo Akinfenwa, a substitute, scored with just two minutes remaining. A draw was a fair result but Walsall will be hurt that they could not keep a clean sheet for just another two minutes.

Still, the evidence of progress is great. The post-Paul Merson era is already looking encouraging, if less of a rollercoaster ride. Broad-hurst's policy of ensuring stability is certainly one that will please his employers and, for the most part, there was much about which visiting supporters could be pleased.

Devlin's goal was worthy of winning any match. The former Birmingham City winger found himself unmarked inside the penalty area and scored with a low right-footed shot after a neat free kick involving Simon Osborn.

Walsall should have made the game safe in the 70th minute when Andrew Barrowman shot straight at Gueret and they were left to rue this missed opportunity.

Andy Robinson struck the ball against the post for Swansea as they chased an equaliser and their pressure finally paid dividends. They made two substitutions in the final 25 minutes and they were rewarded for their changes.

With time running out, Akinfenwa, sharp and physical, scored with a shot that took a wicked deflection to beat Andy Oakes in the Walsall goal.

Walsall will count themselves unfortunate but, with both teams creating enough opportunities to have won the matches, perhaps a draw was t he most appropriate conclusion.