Daniel Kanu helps Walsall share spoils at Fleetwood

Daniel Kanu’s goal ensured Walsall took home a point from a 1-1 draw at Fleetwood.

An entertaining encounter ended all square after Ryan Graydon had given the hosts the lead, with Kanu levelling midway through the first half.

The visitors started brightly and went close through Evan Weir’s free kick from distance, which cleared the bar by a matter of inches.

There was an early chance for Graydon at the other end when last defender Aden Flint was isolated. The striker won the ball and knocked it past goalkeeper Myles Roberts but Flint recovered to make a perfectly-timed stop.

Fleetwood took the lead in the 16th minute. Walsall struggled to clear Jordan Davies’ corner and when the ball was worked back out to Davies on the right, his cross picked out the unmarked Graydon, who neatly steered his header inside the far post.

The Saddlers almost levelled within minutes as Aaron Pressley towered above defenders to head down for Kanu but he scuffed his finish, sending it harmlessly wide.

The same combination paid dividends on 25 minutes for Walsall’s equaliser, though. Pressley again won the header at a long throw into the box and this time Kanu made no mistake, stroking past Cod Army keeper Jay Lynch.

Chances came for both sides in the second half. Roberts tipped over Davies’ free kick and, at the other end, Lewis Warrington’s speculative shot from way out rattled the crossbar with Lynch beaten.

Ethan Ennis almost snatched a stoppage-time winner for Fleetwood but his shot went wide and the teams deservedly took a point apiece.