IT’S NO POETRY FOR KEATES

DEAN KEATES saw the goalless draw at Fleetwood as a missed opportunity for his Walsall side as he was left to rue wasted chances.

The Saddlers had 13 corners at Highbury, but could not break the deadlock with Russell Martin and Jon Guthrie both spurning free headers.

And boss Keates was disappointed they did not leave the Fylde coast with three points or score in front of the TV cameras.

He said: “We were fairly dominant in the first half.

“At half-time we had 10 corners and we added to that in the second half.

“We had two free headers and I am disappointed we did not connect with them.

“Russ should have done better, Jon Guthrie should have done better.

“In the second half Fleetwood stepped up and created opportunities. We are disappointed from our side.

“On another day we could have had three points.”

Fleetwood boss Joey Barton was also left to ponder what might have been.

Ash Hunter, Ross Wallace and top scorer Paddy Madden all squandered chances to break through Walsall.

And although he was happy with a first clean sheet since they beat Doncaster 4-0 at the start of the season, Barton wanted more. He said: “You look at the chances. Yes, we had to defend 13 corners – but we did that manfully.

“Ross Wallace’s chance is a great save from their keeper.

“Ash Hunter’s chance, nine times out of 10 he puts that in the back of the net.

“Right at the end our leading scorer gets presented with a golden opportunity. It’s very unlike him to miss.

“It is a scrappy game and it was going to be a bit of genius or taking one of those chances that decided it.”

0