Nottingham Forest 1 Walsall 1

How typical of Walsall that after losing five successive away league matches, they should manage a draw at the toughest venue in League One with only ten men for twothirds of the match.

When teenage winger Ishmel Demontagnac was shown a red card for violent conduct in the 30th minute, only a super-optimist would have forecast anything but another defeat.

* Did you see the game? Visit our messageboard and give us your verdict *

Instead of caving in, however, the remaining players stood firm in the face of constant pressure from a Forest side who had won their previous five home league games without conceding a goal.

Londoner Demontagnac will receive a club fine on top of his automatic three-match ban for lashing out in a minor scuffle with Nicky Eaden and Nicky Southall in the 30th minute, when the Saddlers were enjoying the unusual luxury of being in front away from home.

Manager Paul Merson had no sympathy for the young player and said: "I know he's only a kid, but you have to learn. My own boys play Sunday football and they won't raise their hands.

"He has no excuse. He has let the team down, but luckily we have got a result. You are 1-0 up at one of the top clubs in this division and you have to use your loaf. He could have let down all the players at the club, the staff and a thousand-odd fans at the match.

"In the end, he's lucky it didn't cost us but, personally, I think we could have had three points if he had stayed on the pitch."

Even before he was sent off, Demontagnac was given a polite warning by the referee after having a dig at a Forest player who had fouled him - even though a free-kick had been awarded in his favour. Then, as he departed in a fury, the 17-year-old was involved in a flare-up with Walsall coach Mark Kinsella and physiotherapist Jon Whitney. He will require a spot of counselling during his suspension.

It was such a pity because the Saddlers had made a promising start, taking the lead in six minutes. Merson, back in action after nine weeks out with a leg injury, teased the home fans by pretending to take a corner from a yard outside the quadrant.

The roar of amused protest must have disturbed the Forest defence because, when Merson replaced the ball and crossed into the goalmouth, no-one cut it out and Matty Fryatt headed his 13th goal of the season.

Fryatt, playing as a lone striker, went on to give a splendid performance which could lead to Forest renewing their bid to sign him when the transfer window reopens next month.

Five minutes after Demontagnac left the scene, Gary Megson's team were level. Big defender Ian Breckin, who had already forced Joe Murphy to make two great saves, finally beat the goalkeeper with a header from Southall's free-kick.

Forced to play because he had so many of his squad injured, Merson was unable to run very fast, but the quality of his passing was still there for all to see and he played his part in ensuring the team kept their shape in the face of waves of pressure in the second half.

He had created a couple of scoring chances for himself before half-time and, ten minutes into the second half, Fryatt beat his man in the box and forced Paul Gerrard to make an important save.

For most of the time, however, the onus was on the defence to hang on for a point and Walsall had two big men with hearts to match in centre-backs Ian Roper and Anthony Gerrard.

Full-backs Craig Pead and Julian Bennett were also excellent and, for all their possession, Forest were never able to fully extend the impressive Murphy.

A relieved Merson said: "I won't single out anyone. Everyone worked their socks off and did their jobs. If they do that, week in, week out, they will be a very difficult team to beat."

Forest assistant manager Frank Barlow did, however, pick out one opponent for special mention - Murphy, on loan from Sunderland.

"Joe has had a good day," he said. "When he pulls off saves like that, the other defenders gain encouragement.

"I thought Walsall did well, but our lads are disappointed after winning five games on the bounce at home."

Oddly enough, the last time Walsall lost five successive away league games, they ended the poor run with a 1-1 draw at the City Ground in January 2003.