Blog Catch Up: Walsall 1 Oldham Athletic 1

Jonathan Forte grabbed a late point and then claimed it was the least his team mates deserved.

Super sub Forte, 29, converted a cross from former Wolves striker Jake Cassidy in the 83rd minute before admitting:

"There was a fair bit of relief when I scored because the boys had worked so hard, but I wasn't after the glory and I'd have been just as happy with an assist."

And Forte paid tribute to man of the match summer signing Cassidy. He said:

"He put in a real shift and is going to be an important player for us this season. He's big, strong and powerful and he takes a lot of pressure off the other lads."

Midfielder Romaine Sawyers opened the scoring in the eighth minute, but admitted:

"Their goal was Premier League quality from the cross to the finish so we can't beat ourselves up too much about it.

"We've set a high standard for ourselves because we've branded ourselves as a footballing team. At times we weren't up to those standards, but it's the first game of the season so we've got a long way to go."

St. Kitts and Nevis international Sawyers, 23, revealed he and boss Dean Smith had agreed a goals target for the season. He said:

"I'm not saying what it is, but I know I've got goals in me and so does the gaffer, so it's a good way to start."

Smith said:

"It turned into a chess game at times. It was important we got our wing backs out and we did for the first period but they stifled us as the game went on."

Oldham's Darren Kelly was pleased with a point in his first game as a manager and delighted with Cassidy. He said:

"Jake's fantastic and his attitude is superb. People see a big man, but he's more than that. He's quick and as the season goes on you'll see his true quality."

- ends -

Walsall: Etheridge 7, Demetriou 5, O'Connor 6, Downing 6, Taylor 6, Henry 6 (Forde 87, 5), Chambers 6, Mantom 6, Sawyers 7, Cook 5 (Lalkovic 66, 5), Bradshaw 6.
Subs not used: MacGillivray, Preston, Flanagan, Morris, Baxendale.
Entertainment value: 3

Oldham Athletic: Coleman 6, J. Wilson 6, B. Wilson 5, Burn 6, Mills 6, Kelly 7, Winchester 5 (Dunn 66, 5), Jones 6, Croft 6 (Philliskirk 75, 5) Turner 5 (Forte 63, 7), Cassidy 8.
Subs not used: Cornell, Gunning, Brown, Poleon.
Entertainment value: 3

Referee: Mark Brown (Humberside) 6

Sun star man: Jake Cassidy (Oldham Athletic) Never gave up and his work rate paid off with Forte's leveller.