Stalemate At London Road
Peterborough United and Walsall played out a goaless draw in terrible conditions at London Road as the Valentine's evening football ended with neither side taking the spoils.It took 25 minutes for the first effort on goal by either side with Walsall striker Michael Ngoo heading straight at Bobby Olejnik following a driven corner from the right.
Just on the half hour, Walsall came close in quick succession. First Mantom saw a swerving effort beaten away by Olejnik and then Lalkovic, who scored the opener in the game between the two sides earlier in the season, was a whisker away with a right-footed drive from a tight angle.
Brandy was denied by goalkeeper Olejnik who was then well placed to deny the follow up from the lively Mantom as the first half drew to a close.
Bostwick saw a 20-yarder parried by goalkeeper O'Donnell on 52 minutes after an intelligent lay off from Ajose.
Boss Darren Ferguson introduced Conor Washington for Payne on 56 minutes in his first change. Danny Swanson embarked on an excellent run on 58 minutes, evading two challenges before unleashing a powerful drive that was parried by O'Donnell with Assombalonga diverting the rebound straight at the keeper on the floor.
Swanson was replaced by Josh McQuoid on 70 minutes while Walsall also introduced Romaine Sawyer, another one of their scorers from the fixture in the Midlands.
Substitute Washington fired wide from the edge of the area leaving Ajose and Assombalonga frustrated that a pass didn't come their way.
Brandy was a whisker away from a winner on 87 minutes, but his drive from the angle went over the crossbar.
Final Score: Posh 0-0 Walsall
Posh: Olejnik, Alcock, Nugent, Knight-Percival, Brisley, Bostwick, Payne (sub Washington 56min), Swanson (sub McQuoid 70min), Rowe, Assombalonga, Ajose. Unused subs: Day, Vassell, Anderson, Little, Baldwin.
Walsall: O'Donnell, Purkiss, A, Chambers, Mantom, Lalkovic (sub Baxendale 76min), Westcarr, Downing, Benning, J. Chambers, Brandy (sub Hemmings 90min), Ngoo (sub Sawyer 70min). Unused subs: Lewis, Featherstone, George, Hewitt.
Attendance: 4,263 (182 Walsall fans)