Walsall 1 MK Dons 1

Sam Mantom has set his sights on Wembley glory after finally putting months of misery behind him.

Mantom, 23, made his first start since suffering knee ligament damage last May as Walsall held the promotion chasing Dons and the midfielder now hopes to play in next Sunday's Johnstone's Paint Trophy final against Bristol City. He admitted:

"It has been the toughest time of my life. Our physio Jon Whitney has kept me going and worked with me in the gym long after everyone else has gone home. We've used the final as motivation.

"When the lads beat Preston to get there I was standing on the sidelines with my crutches not knowing whether to laugh or cry. I didn't know what was going to happen.

"In the darkest days it was a slog coming in, but some of the more experienced players like the Chambers brothers kept me going and have been absolutely brilliant. I can't thank them enough."

But Mantom revealed his return to action just before the Wembley trip has not gone unnoticed by joking team mates. He said:

"When they found out I was playing in a reserve game last week the banter started. Richard O'Donnell and Andy Taylor were giving me grief about my timing, but it's great to be involved in that sort of stuff again."

Striker Tom Bradshaw gave the Saddlers the lead and former Walsall hit man Will Grigg levelled before the break.

Dons manager Karl Robinson was furious with the officials for not giving his side a first half penalty, but said:

"There are still so many positives to take from the game. It's a tick in the box in the right direction."

Walsall boss Dean Smith said:

"Without the ball, you have to be very good in this league and we were. We restricted a team that is usually free-scoring to a few efforts."