Aaron Hayden earns bottom club Carlisle a home draw with leaders Walsall

Bottom side Carlisle held top team Walsall to a 1-1 draw in their Sky Bet League Two clash at Brunton Park.

Taylor Allen gave Walsall the lead with their first big chance of the game but they were soon pegged back by Carlisle as Aaron Hayden scored his first goal since returning to the club in the summer, securing his side a vital point.

The leaders opened the scoring in the seventh minute when Allen was found by a brilliant Ryan Stirk through-ball and he finished tidily at the near post.

The hosts levelled through Hayden in the 22nd minute who headed home from an excellent Elliot Embleton corner.

Gabe Breeze kept the scores level as he produced a fine stop just before the break to deny the dangerous Allen.

It was Tommy Simkin’s turn to produce some heroics straight after the break as the Saddlers stopper produced a superb stop to deny Embleton.

Charlie Lakin then hit the post when the ball broke nicely to him after a defensive error from Blues skipper Sam Lavelle.

Carlisle had a chance late on but Archie Davies’ cross was parried by Simkin and Jordan Jones’ rebound was blocked.