Tranmere Rovers’ Josh Hawkes fizzed a powerful free-kick through the heart of the Walsall wall and left Saddlers keeper Owen Evans rooted to the spot as Rovers salvaged a point in an otherwise poor game.

Former Tranmere striker Danny Johnson gave the Saddlers control with 20 minutes remaining before the leveller was struck as the shares were spoiled.

• Story of the match

The contest startly slowly, with neither side being able to get a foothold in the contest.
 

However, the first chance fell to the home side. Kieran Morris was fed on the left by Josh Hawkes, Morris then raced through before blazing wide.

Rovers had the best chances of very few in the opening half, with a series of opportunities following a corner. Jordan Turnbull nodded the ball back in play from the byline to find Tom Davies on the edge, his volley stung the palms of Owen Evans before Joel Mumbongo's follow up was caught as the Tranmere forward got injured in the process.

The final bit of Rovers pressure in the half almost resulted in the opener as former Tranmere man Manny Monthe’s blushes were spared by the side netting after he sliced Kieron Morris' cross.

Half-time: Tranmere Rovers 0-0 Walsall

Walsall came flying out the blocks in the second half, forcing Rovers on the backfoot. Andy Williams' effort was valiantly blocked by Tom Davies and in the same passage of play, Hayden White nodded wide from a threatening cross. 

It was the Saddlers turn to be placed under siege and they conceded a free-kick after a Monthe foul. Kieron Morris' free-kick was denied before Ethan Bristow volleyed over.

Monthe almost came back to haunt his former employers, meeting an in-swinging cross but gratefully for the Super White Army faithful, the Walsall number six couldn't divert his header on target.

Tranmere broke and almost made it pay dividends as the ceasless threat of Josh Dacres-Cogley picked out Josh Hawkes who blazed over, albeit a slight bobble on the way didn’t help.

It didn't take long after the Tranmere chance for Walsall to break, and this time the Saddlers made it count.

A long ball over the top picked out the run of Danny Johnson, who raced behind a static Rovers defence and spotted Mateus Hewelt off his line. Johnson's lob over the keeper trickled in before Dacres-Cogley could reach it to send the Walsall faithful into raptures.

A reaction was needed by Tranmere and that's what they got, as Rovers began a spell on the front foot.

Jordan Turnbull turned over from a corner before a numerical advantage was gained, as Manny Monthe was sent for an early shower after scything down Kane Hemmings.

From the resulting free-kick, Josh Hawkes fired through the Walsall wall before it reached the net, bringing Rovers level.

Josh Hawkes had fire in his stomach and was on search to net his and Tranmere's second. Both of his resulting chances were cut-ins from the right - one was rocketed over the bar and another warmed the gloves of Owens. Jordan Turnbull fizzed an effort marginally wide before the full-time whistle blew and boos echoed around Prenton Park.

Full-time: Tranmere Rovers 1-1 Walsall

  • Player of the match

Jordan Turnbull

Calm and composed while dealing with Danny Johnson, Walsall's top scorer Turnbull looked good.

He had some efforts on goal from the back and dealt with threats going forward, his passes were positive and proactive to Dacres-Cogley on the right throughout, earning himself player of the match.