Walsall were denied a victory that would have sent them top of League Two after a dramatic 2-2 draw away at Crewe Alexandra on Tuesday. The Saddlers twice took the lead through a brace from Pressley but were pegged back by a last-gasp equaliser from Crewe's Hutchinson.
How did the match unfold?
Walsall started the match sitting third in the table with eight points from their first four games. They had to weather early pressure from the hosts at the Mornflake Stadium. Crewe's Charlie O'Neill forced a save from Walsall keeper Jed Ward with a header, and Lewis Billington skied the follow-up effort. Calum Agius also went close for Crewe, first skewing a shot into the side netting and then firing just past the far post.
The visitors took the lead against the run of play just before half-time. In the 42nd minute, Charlie Crew's cross was handled inside the penalty area by Josh Stephenson. Pressley stepped up and calmly converted the resulting spot-kick. Crewe responded after the break, levelling the scores through a goal from Josh March. Walsall re-established their advantage in the 57th minute when Pressley powered home a header for his second goal of the night.
What happened in the closing stages?
Walsall looked set to claim all three points and move to the summit of League Two. They had opportunities to extend their lead, with full-back Mason Hancock making a barnstorming run forward. However, Crewe pressed for a second equaliser as the game entered stoppage time. Their persistence paid off when Hutchinson found the net to snatch a point for the Railwaymen in the dying moments. The draw means Walsall remain in third place, one point behind leaders Bristol Rovers. Their record now stands at two wins and two draws from four matches, having scored eight goals and conceded four.
What does this mean for Walsall's season?
The result is a missed opportunity for Mat Sadler's side to take control at the top of the table. Their unbeaten start to the season continues, but two points were dropped from a winning position. The team's attacking output has been strong, with eight goals scored giving them a positive goal difference of four. Defensive resilience in the final minutes will be a focus ahead of their next fixture. Fans can check the full schedule on our fixtures page to see when the Saddlers look to bounce back.
Where does the squad stand now?
Individual performances offered positives, with Pressley's double taking his tally for the campaign. The team's overall standing of third place with eight points provides a solid platform. The squad depth will be tested as the season progresses, and supporters can view the full roster on our squad page. The late goal conceded highlights an area for improvement as Walsall aim to maintain their push near the top of the standings.
The team's next match is at home against Doncaster Rovers on Saturday, September 5th.
