Tranmere Rovers 0 Walsall 0 - REPORT

Last updated : 12 October 2007 By Footymad Previewer
Two in-form sides huffed and puffed to little avail at Prenton Park as the game ended goalless.

A stalemate meant leaders Tranmere Rovers extended their unbeaten run to ten games and Walsall to four matches.

Walsall suffered an early blow with the loss of Dwayne Mattis. He was taken off on a stretcher with a leg injury after 21 minutes with Troy Deeney taking over in midfield.

It was easy for both keepers up to half-time. Clayton Ince in the visitors goal easily dealt with an early deflected shot by Calvin Zola and a Shane Sherriff header which followed a Paul McLaren free-kick.

In between he was able to watch as Zola curled an effort over from the corner of the box.

Ishmel Demontagnac saw an early effort for the Saddlers blocked and Mark Bradley headed wide from a Demontagnac centre after ten minutes.

The visitors were content to let Rovers make most of the running but did enjoy some good spells. A dangerous Daniel Fox free-kick was deflected over by Sherriff three minutes before the break.

Sherriff collected a 26th minute caution for a foul on Bradley and the Walsall man went in the book in first-half injury time for a clumsy challenge on Carl Tremarco.

Zola only just missed the target for Rovers a minute after the break. At the other end Scott Dann was unlucky to see a goalbound shot rebound off Ben Chorley.

There was a marked increase in tempo without too much quality. Walsall's Mike Dobson was yellow carded for bringing down Chris Shuker as the winger raced goalwards.

Shuker should have broken the deadlock just after the hour but missed the target from six yards when set up by Gareth Taylor. Then Shuker forced a smart save from Ince.

At the other end John Achterberg did well to block an effort by Deeney. Then sub Mike Jones for Tranmere and Tommy Mooney for Walsall saw shots deflected just over.

Antony Kay almost won it for Rovers in injury time, but his header was held on the line by Ince.