Swindon Town were held to a 1-1 draw by Walsall at The Nigel Eady County Ground on Saturday. Aaron Drinan's fifth-minute opener was cancelled out by Tai Sodje's header ten minutes after the restart in a tight League Two contest.
Ian Holloway made three changes to the side that lost to Crewe Alexandra the previous weekend. James Ball and Billy Kirkman came into the defence, while Joseph Hungbo returned to the starting eleven.
Early Swindon lead
Swindon stormed into the lead after five minutes courtesy of some brilliant persistence from Stephan Negru. The defender won the ball in the Walsall penalty area following a long throw from Ollie Clark and played it across goal, where Drinan smashed a left-footed finish into the Town End. The goal was the striker's 22nd of the season across all competitions.
Walsall, who were unbeaten in their opening nine league games, responded with pressure. Connor Ripley saved well from Mitch Clark and later from a Tai Sodje effort, while Aaron Pressley headed narrowly wide. Swindon led 1-0 at the break.
Walsall equaliser and key moments
The visitors levelled the match in the 55th minute. A corner from the right was only partially cleared, Mason Hancock fired a volley back at goal, and Sodje nodded the rebound home from close range. Walsall thought they had taken the lead eleven minutes later when Sodje tapped in after a deflected cross hit the post, but the effort was ruled out for offside.
Both sides pushed for a winner in the closing stages. Louis Millard, one of three Swindon substitutes introduced on the hour mark, raced forward and shot narrowly wide from the edge of the box. At the other end, Ripley made an outstanding save to deny Reece Smith's powerful drive toward the top corner.
Holloway used all five substitutes, with a triple change in the 61st minute and a final switch in the 80th. James Ball received Swindon's only yellow card for a foul on Courtney Clarke, while Walsall manager Lee Grant was cautioned for dissent.
The result leaves Swindon Town 18th in the standings, with 12 points from 11 games. Their recent form reads two draws and three defeats from the last five outings. They now face a quick turnaround with a trip to second-placed Barnet on Tuesday night.
The original report is at swondontownfc.co.uk
