Match ends, Walsall 1, Brentford 1.
WalsallWalsall1BrentfordBrentford1
Brentford slipped off the top of League One as their eight-match winning streak ended at Walsall.
The Bees took the lead just before the half hour when Jake Bidwell crossed for Clayton Donaldson, who glanced a header into the bottom corner.
The Saddlers drew level just before the break when Milan Lalkovic headed across goal and Craig Westcarr nodded in.
Romaine Sawyers went close to winning it for the home side but David Button tipped his shot over the bar.
Brentford started the day looking to match a club record of nine consecutive league wins, which was set in 1932.
Donaldson's 49th league goal for the Bees looked to have set them on their way but Westcarr's header extended Walsall's unbeaten run to five games.
On-loan Brentford striker Marcello Trotta sent a half-volley over the bar in the second half as the visitors searched for a breakthrough.
Both sides came close to winning the match late on, with Westcarr firing over from close range and Brentford substitute Stuart Dallas dragging a left-footed shot inches past the post.
The Bees stretched their unbeaten run to 15 matches but drop to second place after Leyton Orient won at Crewe.
Walsall slip out of the play-off places on goal difference, with Peterborough replacing them after they beat Tranmere.
VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Brentford manager Mark Warburton told BBC London 94.9:
"It was a tough game today and Walsall worked hard and moved the ball well - 1-1 was a fair draw.
"It's a squad game. The players who came in did well and the squad has shown its quality over the last few days.
"We have Gillingham in our sights and that's our only focus now."
Line-ups
Walsall
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 1O'Donnell
- 15ChambersSubstituted forPurkissat 82'minutes
- 3TaylorSubstituted forBenningat 66'minutes
- 8Mantom
- 12Downing
- 4Butler
- 29Brandy
- 7Chambers
- 10Westcarr
- 25SawyersSubstituted forBaxendaleat 87'minutes
- 9Lalkovic
Substitutes
- 2Purkiss
- 6Featherstone
- 11Hemmings
- 13Lewis
- 14Benning
- 16Baxendale
- 24Hewitt
Brentford
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 27Button
- 12McCormack
- 24Bidwell
- 18JudgeSubstituted forLoganat 68'minutes
- 2O'Connor
- 5CraigBooked at 90mins
- 9Donaldson
- 8Douglas
- 29TrottaSubstituted forDallasat 88'minutes
- 17SavilleBooked at 78mins
- 11GriggSubstituted forAkpomat 68'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Lee
- 14Logan
- 15Dallas
- 20Diagouraga
- 22Reeves
- 23Akpom
- 32Adams
- Referee:
- Scott Duncan
- Attendance:
- 5,295
Match Stats
Home TeamWalsallAway TeamBrentford
- Possession
- Home52%
- Away48%
- Shots
- Home10
- Away11
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away1
- Corners
- Home6
- Away2
- Fouls
- Home6
- Away16
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Walsall 1, Brentford 1.
Booking
Tony Craig (Brentford) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Milan Lalkovic (Walsall) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Tony Craig (Brentford).
Post update
Febian Brandy (Walsall) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Jake Bidwell (Brentford).
Post update
Sam Mantom (Walsall) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Alan McCormack (Brentford).
Post update
Foul by Milan Lalkovic (Walsall).
Post update
Shaleum Logan (Brentford) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Attempt missed. Stuart Dallas (Brentford) left footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right.
Substitution
Substitution, Brentford. Stuart Dallas replaces Marcello Trotta.
Substitution
Substitution, Walsall. James Baxendale replaces Romaine Sawyers.
Post update
Attempt missed. Craig Westcarr (Walsall) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high.
Post update
Attempt missed. Paul Downing (Walsall) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high following a corner.
Post update
Corner, Walsall. Conceded by Tony Craig.
Substitution
Substitution, Walsall. Ben Purkiss replaces James Chambers because of an injury.
Post update
Adam Chambers (Walsall) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Marcello Trotta (Brentford).
