Impressive displayes from goalkeepers Morten Hyldgaard and James Walker ensured Coventry and Walsall shared the points at Highfield Road.

Coventry player-boss Gary McAllister was forced to watch from the sidelines with a groin injury.

But he would have been impressed with the start made by youngster Jay Bothroyd, who saw a stinging 25-yard drive hacked away by Ian Roper

And after 10 minutes a Richie Partridge cross fell to Bothroyd on the edge of the six-yard box, but he could only to steer his shot wide.

Walsall hit back three minutes later when Darren Wrack's close-range snap-shot forced a fine reaction block from Hyldgaard, before Fitzroy Simpson blasted the rebound wide.

With 16 minutes gone Hyldgaard had to be at his best again with a flying one-handed save to tip Wrack's 20-yarder round the post.

The Coventry shot-stopper was keeping his side on level terms but at the other end Walker was determined not to be outdone as he scrambled across his goal-line to push Gary McSheffrey's effort away for a corner.

And with half-time approaching he was at it again as he reacted superbly to gather Bothroyd's curling effort after the forward had cut in from the left.

Having shaded the first-half, Walsall again looked the more threatening after the restart and after 52 minutes they were unfortunate not to take the lead when Jorge Leitao's pile-driver was blocked by a last-ditch lunge from Konjic.

With Coventry still struggling to make home advantage count, McAllister opted to reshuffle his pack on the hour.

A triple substitution saw John Eustace, Brian Kerr and Lee Mills replace Bothroyd, McSheffrey and Youssef Chippo respectively.

But that seemed to have little effect as Junior forced another good save from Hyldgaard and substitute David Zdrilic skewed a 20-yard effort wide.

After 72 minutes Coventry again threatened but after good work from Dean Gordon to dig out a cross, Mills should have done better with a six-yard header that slipped wide.

That though was as close as the home side came.

In the end they will have been happy enough to settle for a point as twice in quick succession Leitao spurned chances to win it at the death.

Coventry: Hyldgaard, Caldwell, Davenport, Konjic, Gordon, Pipe, Chippo, Safri, Partridge, McSheffrey, Bothroyd. Subs: Montgomery, Shaw, Eustace, Mills, Kerr.

Walsall: Walker, Bazeley, Carbon, Roper, Aranalde, Wrack, O'Connor, Corica, Simpson, Leitao, Junior. Subs: Ward, Herivelto, Zdrilic, Barras, Sonner.

Referee: D Pugh (Merseyside)