Saddlers ‘Bank-s’ a lucky point

It wasn’t quite GordonBanks v Pele in the 1970 World Cup, but PoshmanagerGrantMcCann’s post-matchcomment was understandable.

Posh currently lack potency in front of goal so to see Walsall ‘keeper Neil Etheridge fly through the air to claw Tom Nichols’ six-yard header from under his own crossbar 20 minutes from time was a most frustrating moment for the home camp.

Etheridgehasrecentform against Posh, and in League Onegenerally, forathleticism and agility and he confirmed his status as the division’s top number one at the ABAX.

Walsall were never under siege from a Posh side who again played some lovely football in midfield, but Etheridgemadetwootherkeyinterventions whichpreserved a point for the visitors.

Adeflected20-yard strike from Gwion Edwards looked goalbound in the latter stages of the first-half until Etheridge contorted his body and tipped the ball behind for a corner.

And, during a bright start to the second-half, Etheridge made good ground across his goal-line to push George Moncur’s precise 18 -yard shot to safety.

And when Etheridge was beaten, Flo Cuvelier was on on hand to boot Edwards’ shot off the goal-line after recalled centre-back Ryan Tafazolli had made his presence felt from a corner in the final act of the first period.

Posh deserved to win, but Walsall, promptedbyformer home favourite Erhun Oztumer, enjoyed good moments most notably when Simeon Jacksonheadedtheminfront on 16 minutes and four minutes from time when leftback Scott Laird was played through by Oztumer only to see his shot cannon to safety off the inside of a post.

Poshequalised on27minutes with a beauty from Marcus Maddison who curled the ball home from the edge of the area.

It was going to take that sort of quality to defeat Etheridge. Unfortunately Posh couldn’t reach such heights again.