Walsall 1 AFC Wimbledon 1 - George Bennett analysis
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00:00Good evening Sadler's fans, I'm inside the Bescott where Walsall have just salvaged in dramatic style a 1-1 draw against promotion rivals AFC Wimbledon.
00:11That has extended their lead at the top now to one point, they went into the game top on goal difference after Bradford City drew 0-0 against Accrington Stanley in the early kick-off.
00:23It was Taylor Allen with a moment of magic curling his free kick into the top corner with three minutes left on the clock of regulation time to rescue what could be an absolute vital point for the Sadlers.
00:40Omar Bugiel had opened the score in on 17 minutes with a tidy finish into the bottom corner from the edge of the box after he had come on for the visitors.
00:52But it's a point for Walsall here, Matt Sadler made three changes from the team which began the goalless draw against Gillingham.
01:00David Ikaipue came into the defence with Harry Williams dropping out of the squad altogether. Nathan Asinwe also kept his place in the team.
01:12Liam Gordon came back into the XI after returning from international duty and Danny Johnson was handed his first league start for the club since January 2024.
01:26It was a rather scrappy affair in the first half, neither side really felt as if they wanted to over-commit, probably afraid of losing. It felt really like quite a cagey affair.
01:41Hornby was forced into a good save around two minutes into the second half and Walsall had a period of sustained pressure just before the hour mark.
01:52Charlie Lakin was denied by Goodman when his header at the back post came close but Wimbledon hit the front 70 minutes on the clock.
02:03Tilly broke down the left-hand side, Smith was denied by Hornby but the rebound fell kindly for Bugio who finished nicely into the bottom corner.
02:14But Walsall responded, Jamie Jellis stung the palms of Goodman and Albert Odomer had an effort on the rebound deflected over but fortunately Alan came to the rescue with his free kick.
02:24So it's 1-1 here, Walsall now one point clear at the top of the table and five clear of the chasing pack from fourth spot.