Ten-man Walsall hung on for a gutsy point at winless Torquay in a match which saw both sides record their first clean sheet of the season.
The Saddlers had centre-half Ian Roper sent off for the second time this season following a second bookable offence in the 39th minute.
Roper and his centre-back partner Neil Emblen had their work cut out to keep Torquay strikers Stuart Noble and Martin Gritton quiet during the first half.
But Torquay, despite plenty of pressure, failed to turn chances into goals.
Left-back Brian McGlinchey laid on a series of dangerous crosses, but Gritton headed one of the best chances wide in the 14th minute.
And in the 36th minute Noble shot inches wide after a sweeping five-man move.
Paul Merson gave his players a half-time rocket and sent himself on at the start of the second period.
He wasted no time stamping his class on the match, often taking the sting out of Torquay's play and earning precious time with his skill on the ball.
Torquay still made and missed a stack of chances, most of them falling to Gritton who had a day to forget in front of goal.
Gritton missed one golden chance laid on by Portuguese midfielder Bruno Meirelles in the 57th minute.
There was a pushing match on the touchline, involving Torquay boss Leroy Rosenior and members of the Walsall bench after the visitor's Jorge Leitao appeared to dive in the box.
Walsall keeper Mark Paston pulled off the save of the match in the 87th minute, brilliantly parrying a Gritton shot before substitute Gareth Owen missed the rebound with the goal at his mercy.
Merson supplied a stream of clever passes and crosses during the second half but they all went begging until stoppage time.
Then, the former Arsenal star delivered an inviting free-kick from the right to the far post where substitute Daryl Taylor headed just wide.
A goal then would have given Walsall an unlikely victory, but the result still leaves promoted Torquay waiting for their first win after six league and cup games.