Walsall 1-1 Wimbledon: Taylor Allen stunner rescues crucial point

Substitute Omar Bugiel delivered the breakthrough for Wimbledon 20 minutes from time with a precise finish into the bottom corner from 20 yards.

But Taylor Allen rescued a point for the Saddlers when he curled a sumptuous free-kick into the top corner from 25 yards with three minutes left.

Mat Sadler made three changes from the team which began the Saddlers' goalless draw at Gillingham last weekend. 

Danny Johnson was handed his first league start since January 2024 while David Okagbue and Liam Gordon were restored to the XI after returning from international duty.

Walsall remained top spot on goal difference ahead of kick-off following Bradford City's goalless draw at Accrington Stanley in the early game.

It was a scrappy contest during the opening exchanges with Charlie Lakin coming closest when he dragged a low effort comfortably wide of the near post. 

Lakin stabbed another chance over the crossbar after Wimbledon goalkeeper Owen Goodman spilled Nathan Asiimwe's cross into the danger area.

At the other end, Sam Hornby was quick off his line to smother Marcus Browne's finish after the Wimbledon frontman latched on to a threaded pass in behind.

Both sides refused to really overcommit in the final third as a cagey affair continued to play out for the remainder of the first half.

Jamille Matt headed Jamie Jellis' fizzing free-kick delivery away from the target rather than towards it before Asiimwe cut inside to blaze over from range just before the break.

Wimbledon came close just two minutes after the restart when James Tilley squared for Browne who slotted his finish wide of the near post.

Walsall were beginning to knock on the door and enjoyed their first serious period of sustained pressure early in the second half.

Johnson raced on to a high ball from Lakin to break into the box but dragged his effort across goal and wide of Goodman's left-hand post.

Asiimwe, who was a threat throughout down the right, whipped a lovely cross into the box but Goodman made a smart save to keep out Lakin's back post header.

They failed to capitalise on their momentum and substitute Bugiel, who scored a hat-trick against Walsall last season, opened the scoring in the 70th-minute.

Tilley delivered a low centre for Alistair Smith who was expertly thwarted by Hornby but the rebound fell kindly for Bugiel to caress his finish into the far bottom corner from the edge of the box.

Hornby prevented the Wombles from doubling their advantage when he managed to beat away Tilley's powerful strike from distance. 

In the final 10 minutes, Jellis stung the palms of Goodman with a fierce shot before substitute Albert Adomah's effort deflected over on the rebound.

Walsall had a prime opportunity to equalise when Hall, who made his comeback from the bench, was fouled just outside the box three minutes from time. Allen took the resulting free-kick, curling a delightful effort into the top corner to extend his season tally to eight goals.

Teams

Walsall (3-1-4-2): Hornby; McEntee, Okagbue, Allen; Stirk; Asiimwe, Jellis (Weir 83), Lakin (Hall 65), L Gordon; Johnson (Adomah 75), Matt (Amantchi 75).

Unused: Simkin, Daniels, Comley.

Wimbledon (3-1-4-2): Goodman; Lewis, Johnson, Harbottle (Ogundere 76); Reeves; Neufville, Tilley, Smith, Maycock (Ball 90 +2); Stevens (Bugiel 65), Browne (Sasu 76).

Unused: Ward, Kelly, Ball, Foyo, Sasu, Ogundere.

Referee: Matt Corlett

Attendance: 9,203 (1,118)