There was a party-like atmosphere inside the ground at kick off with both sets of fans in fine voice, despite there being little to play for in this game, apart from pride.

The away stand here at The Bescott Stadium was a sea of colour, with many of the travelling Poolies donning fancy dress for the trip - even H'Angus got in on the act, sporting an Elvis-themed outfit.

And the enthusiasm off the field inspired an energetic opening to the game in which both teams pushed forward in numbers and with pace.

David Foley had the first real chance of the game when he picked up possession on the edge of the area but his powerful drive went just wide of target as the young forward looked for his first League goal of the campaign.

Michael Mackay was next up to try his luck but after twisting and turning his way into space, the striker leant too far back as he shot on goal and the ball went high over the bar.

Walsall enjoyed their fair share of pressure in the opening exchanges - but made their possession count.

As the hosts broke down the left channel, the ball found Michael Dobson on the edge of the box and he curled a great effort through the area, which beat Arran Lee-Barrett before nestling in the top corner of the net, making it 1-0 to Walsall.

Ben Clark went desperately close at the other end as Pools looked for an instant equaliser - but his low effort scarped wide of Clayton Ince's left post.

In this real end-to-end opening, Tommy Mooney flashed a low drive across the face of goal and Alex Nicholls put his drive wide of target after good work by former Pools loan man Kevin Betsy.

But with Walsall boosted by their early goal and confidence at a premium, the hosts soon made their pressure count - a ball in from Dobson on the right wing found Mooney in space in the box and the experienced front man made no mistake as he struck home with a low effort.

Although Wilson's men faced a two-goal deficit with just fifteen minuets having been played, their heads did not go down and this paid dividends as Michael Mackay grabbed a lifeline for Pools just five minutes later.

A Ritchie Humphreys ball in from the left wing found the Pools striker unmarked in the middle of the box and Mackay showed a calm head to slot a left-footed effort under Ince to make it 2-1.

The high tempo continued as both teams had chance to add to the scoresheet - with Betsy heading wide when it looked easier to score, at the other end, Mackay just lost out to Ince after a teasing ball from Andy Monkhouse caused problems in the box.

The game lost some of its energy as the half-time interval approached but, with neither team adding another goal, there was everything still to play for in the second period.

Andy Monkhouse was first to try his luck on goal after the break when he put a glancing header in on goal but Ince was able to collect comfortably.

And it was Monkhouse who was involved in Pools' next big chance on goal, a good ball in from the winger on the left found James Brown in space in the centre of the area but his direct header was held by Ince.

Pools gave the travelling supporters something to shout about with a strong period of pressure mid-way into the half - with three successive corner kicks, on of which saw Sam Collins have a powerful header cleared off the line by Nicholls.

Richard Taundry then saved the day for Walsall as he put in a great block to deny Mackay a deserved second goal as Wilson's men definitely edged this second period.

Pools really did up the pressure in the closing period of the second half, refusing to allow Walsall out of their own half and Ben Clark went close when he rose to nod a Matty Robson ball at goal but once again Ince collected to deny Pools.

As Wilson's men laid siege to the Walsall goal, David Foley had a good effort on goal well-saved by Ince and then the big keeper rose well to punch the resulting corner kick clear of danger.

Pools really did deserve something from this game as they threw everything at Walsall and the equaliser eventually scored late into extra time when a good break down the left saw Monkhouse feed Foley and he slipped a ball into the box for James Brown to poke home to make it 2-2.

A point was the least that Wilson's men deserved from the game after showing positive determination for much of the afternoon and the late goal went some way to thank the travelling army of Pools fans for their support.

Att: 5021 (437 Pools)

Pools: Lee-Barrett, Sweeney, Nelson, Collins, Humphreys (Robson 62), Foley, Liddle (Boland 52), Clark, Monkhouse, Brown, Mackay

Subs Not Used: McCunnie, Eliott, Antwi

Walsall: Ince, Weston, Taundry, Gerrard, Smith, Nicholls (Craddock 85), Dobson, Bradley (Wrack 77), Demontagnac, Mooney, Betsy

Subs Not Used: Deeney, N'Dour, Gilmartin