Walsall started the new year as they had performed for so much of the old one at Bury. A generally poor performance where again they took so long to get going and lacked sparkle, especially in midfield. On the ten minute mark captain Andy Butler got himself in a right old tangle with a back pass that almost went horribly wrong. Soon afterwards Jimmy Walker was forced to make a good save from Mike Jones.
The home side took the lead on 20 minutes thanks to David Amoo who ran at Mat Sadler who could only get a touch on the ball as it flew into the net. On 30 minutes Walker did very well to tip over a Steven Schmaucher effort.Adam Chambers had a golden chance on 38 minutes but the Bury keeper blocked and he blasted the rebound over.
A minute later Saddlers got back on level terms thanks to a well struck free kick from Jamie Patterson.Alex Nicholls was fould by ex-Walsall defender Mark Hughes and the teenager curled his kick into the net to give the 297 travelling supporters some hope. A minute later Walsall found themselves behind again with a free kick from another ex-Saddler Peter Sweeney which beat Walker at the near post.
Walsall did pick up after half time but moves broke down and nobody could finish. Dean Smith used up all his subs to try and force the play but it wasn't happening. There was a final chance at the death when Claude Gnakpa went close with a header but it was a game they could have won had they applied themselves.
