Match ends, Walsall 1, Leyton Orient 1.
WalsallWalsall1Leyton OrientLeyton Orient1
Leyton Orient lost ground on the top two, despite Nathan Clarke's deflected shot earning them a point at Walsall.
With leaders Wolves and second-placed Brentford both winning, Russell Slade's men are now four points from an automatic promotion spot in League One.
Walsall went in front when Paul Downing fired in a loose ball from a corner.
Orient's equaliser came in fortuitous fashion when Clarke's speculative half-volley took a huge deflection to beat goalkeeper Richard O'Donnell.
Walsall are now without a win in 10 games and are eight points from the play-offs with eight matches to play.
Walsall boss Dean Smith told to BBC WM:
"Frustrated again, three times in the last three games. We started the game ever so well, played really well and played some really good football.
"We're playing against a team who are pushing for automatic promotion. I thought we were the better team today.
"It's disappointing that we haven't got the win but as I say, the league table changes.
"Once we get over that line with that next win things change straight away and the positivity off the players will be taken into that."
Leyton Orient manager Russell Slade told BBC London 94.9:
"We can only do our best, but I was disappointed in the first half. Walsall deserved to be in front.
"In the second half we had so much more intensity and possession.
"Other than them maybe catching us out on the courter-attack, I felt we controlled the game."
Line-ups
Walsall
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 1O'Donnell
- 15Chambers
- 3Taylor
- 7Chambers
- 4Butler
- 12Downing
- 29Brandy
- 8Mantom
- 10Westcarr
- 25Sawyers
- 9LalkovicSubstituted forBaxendaleat 81'minutes
Substitutes
- 6Featherstone
- 14Benning
- 16Baxendale
- 22Roberts
- 24Hewitt
- 26McQuilkin
- 30Ngoo
Leyton Orient
Formation 4-4-2
- 30Jakupovic
- 5Cuthbert
- 2Omozusi
- 8JamesBooked at 50minsSubstituted forNessat 69'minutes
- 6BaudryBooked at 90mins
- 15Clarke
- 11Odubajo
- 4VincelotBooked at 27mins
- 10Mooney
- 23DagnallSubstituted forLisbieat 69'minutes
- 7Cox
Substitutes
- 1Jones
- 3Sawyer
- 9Lisbie
- 19Lasimant
- 21Bartley
- 25Simpson
- 29Ness
- Referee:
- Tim Robinson
- Attendance:
- 5,779
Match Stats
Home TeamWalsallAway TeamLeyton Orient
- Possession
- Home53%
- Away47%
- Shots
- Home10
- Away8
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away6
- Corners
- Home5
- Away6
- Fouls
- Home8
- Away13
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Walsall 1, Leyton Orient 1.
Post update
Attempt saved. David Mooney (Leyton Orient) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Post update
Attempt missed. David Mooney (Leyton Orient) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high.
Booking
Mathieu Baudry (Leyton Orient) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Foul by Mathieu Baudry (Leyton Orient).
Post update
Craig Westcarr (Walsall) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by David Mooney (Leyton Orient).
Post update
Paul Downing (Walsall) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Kevin Lisbie (Leyton Orient).
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Andrew Butler (Walsall) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Nathan Clarke (Leyton Orient).
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Romaine Sawyers (Walsall) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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David Mooney (Leyton Orient) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Adam Chambers (Walsall).
Substitution
Substitution, Walsall. James Baxendale replaces Milan Lalkovic.
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Dean Cox (Leyton Orient) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Foul by James Chambers (Walsall).
Goal!
Goal! Walsall 1, Leyton Orient 1. Nathan Clarke (Leyton Orient) right footed shot from outside the box to the bottom left corner.
Post update
Corner, Leyton Orient. Conceded by Andy Taylor.
