Saddlers stutter at home...

THERE are certainly echoes of Anthony Gerrard about Clayton McDonald the more we see him.

Both young Scousers released by Premiership sides with a point to prove upon joining the Saddlers.

Both dominant in the air on the pitch but also comfortable on the ground.

Of course, Gerrard departed last summer for the heights of the Championship with Cardiff.

And on McDonald's performances so far in a red shirt, it would take a brave man to bet against him doing the same in a few years.

McDonald was the star turn against Rovers on Saturday with another towering defensive display – but just failed to cap it at the other end, hitting the bar in injury time.

A late Walsall winner would have been harsh on Rovers, who were the better team throughout this poor quality clash that was not helped by a pitch that cuts up by the minute.

The whole Walsall defence, not just McDonald, shone against the Pirates with keeper Clayton Ince and full-backs Netan Sansara and Darryl Westlake all in good form.

Alongside McDonald, makeshift Jamie Vincent appears intent on making the position his own and brings crucial experience to a young back four.

If we are focusing on the defensive side of things with our praise, that's because there were, sadly, little positives elsewhere.

Richard Taundry brought some much-needed bite to midfield but strike duo Darren Byfield and Sam Parkin neither hit it off or received any service.

The first chance of the game fell to Rovers in the 13th minute but a superbly timed tackle from Westlake foiled Wayne Brown as he was about to pull the trigger.

Byron Anthony sent a six-yard stooping header wide for Rovers from a corner but that was it as far as chances went in a dire first half.

Things improved after the break but again it was the visitors who were the more creative.

Midway through the half Jo Kuffour latched onto a Stuart Campbell through ball down the right and though he lifted the ball over Ince, that man McDonald was on hand to clear the danger.

Ince made a smart save minutes later to deny Campbell, all of which meant it would have been a big injustice had McDonald netted in stoppage time.

As it was, he stormed in to meet a Taundry corner from six yards but saw his powerful header crash off the bar when he probably should have scored.

Nobody's perfect, though, and as long as he keeps producing the goods at the other end, Walsall will be happy...

Coca Cola League One

Walsall 0

Bristol Rovers 0

WALSALL: Ince, Sansara, McDonald, Vincent, Westlake, Richards (Nicholls 74), Mattis, Taundry, Till (Bradley 79), Byfield, Parkin. Subs (not used): Gilmartin, Hughes, O'Keefe, Geddes, Grigg. ATTENDANCE: 3,886. ADVERTISER STAR MAN: Clayton McDonald – outstanding at the back.