Luton are still waiting for their first league away win of the season, but at least they managed to collect a point against Walsall.

In what has been a difficult week following off the field events, Kevin Blackwell's men could have easily crumbled to another away day defeat.

But, with key men missing through international duty, Luton did enough to give themselves a share of the spoils and secure only their second point on their travels.

The Hatters may have been thankful to Dean Brill's breathtaking save in the second half, as he denied Tommy Mooney, but Luton themselves could have snatched a win.

Drew Talbot and Paul McVeigh both had chances in the second half, but Luton's luck in front of goal continued to go astray.

The Hatters handed Marc Wilson his Hatters debut after completing his loan move from Portsmouth in midweek.

He was one of three changes from this side which drew with Brentford last week in the FA Cup.

With Steve Robinson and Dave Edwards missing through international duty, Don Hutchison was recalled to midfield with McVeigh getting a rare start in attack.

That meant there was no place for Darren Currie in the starting line-up while Anthony Grant, who arrived on-loan from Chelsea, was named amongst the substitutes.

Walsall made just one change to their side which were victorious against Shrewsbury in the FA Cup last week with Ishmel Demontagnac replacing Mark Bradley in midfield.

A rather patchy opening from both sides saw little in terms of goalmouth action and it wasn't until the 14th minute when David Bell sliced a 25-yard free-kick miles off target that the crowd was finally awoken.

The Hatters, who had reverted to a 4-4-2 formation, where still intent on hoofing the long ball up field, while Walsall tried to work the flanks, and looked slightly sharper on the attack.

A healthy Bescott Stadium crowd were still awaiting for their first real chance of the game, as both goalkeepers continued to have little to do.

Thankfully, that opening finally arrived with Walsall going close on 23 minutes.

Demontagnac linked up well with Michael Ricketts and after receiving a through ball, the midfielder ventured into the penalty area unchallenged, unleashing a low shot from the edge of the area that flashed wide of Brill's left post.

Three minutes later and Luton responded with their best effort of the game. A hopefully ball up field set off Calvin Andrew on the chase and the striker almost capitalised on a slip by Anthony Gerrard, but was denied by a brave block from Walsall goalkeeper Clayton Ince.

Edrissa Sonko then tested Brill a minute later as the game soon opened up. After Luton could only half clear a corner, Sonko drilled back a half volley from 25-yards that Brill did well to keep out with a low save to his left.

Walsall should have then taken the lead, but there could be no excuses for an astonishing miss from ex-England international Ricketts on 32 minutes.

The on-loan Oldham man amazingly headed wide from six yards after Luton's defence was left stranded, praying for an offside, after Sonko had picked out the striker with a pinpoint cross from the left.

The flow of the game wasn't helped by the constant interruptions of referee Anthony Taylor's whistle.

The Greater Manchester official, who earlier in the season booked ten players in one match, had already put three players in the book whilst also halting the game for unnecessary reasons.

But in truth the first half wasn't much of a spectacle, with neither side showing much threat in attack.

AT HALF TIME: WALSALL 0 V 0 LUTON

The second half started in a similar fashion to the first, but on this occasion, at least Luton looked the more threatening side going forward.

On 55 minutes, Andrew managed to whip over a cross from the right and McVeigh stole in front of his marker, but couldn't manage to steer home his effort, which crept the wrong side of Ince's far post.

Then, just two minutes later, Coyne's powerful defensive header saw McVeigh latch onto the ball, but after driving forward, the former Norwich man had his 20-yard effort deflected wide of the target.

The visitors then had a penalty appeal waved away as Luton could sense an opener. A fierce shot into the area looked as if it struck the hand of Darren Wrack, but referee Taylor quickly waved away the appeal.

Luton then went close on 72 minutes when Bell's cross from the left was almost turned home by Talbot, who nipped inside his marker and flicked the ball over the crossbar from eight yards.

Walsall had been relatively quiet in the second half, but on 74 minutes, Mooney saw sight of goal when a long ball up field was picked up by the former Watford man and after he rolled past Chris Coyne's challenge, hit a bullet shot that Brill stopped with a breathtaking save to his right.

Both teams had chances to score in the closing stages, especially as Talbot went close after he brushed the post from a cross-cum-shot on 82 minutes, that needed just the faintest of touches.

However, neither side could find that winner as the Hatters had to settle for a share of the spoils.

AT FULL TIME: WALSALL 0 V 0 LUTON

Walsall: Ince, Weston, Fox, Gerrard, Wrack, Mooney, Hall (McDermott 63), Demontagnac (Taundry 83), Dann, Sonko, Ricketts

Subs not used: Roper, Bossu, Deeney

Bookings: Gerrard (18),

Luton: Brill, Hutchison, Perry, Coyne, Bell, Jackson, Andrew, Spring, McVeigh (Talbot 70), Fojut, Wilson

Subs not used: Goodall, Currie, Keane, Grant

Bookings: Perry (5), Hutchison (35)

Referee: Mr A Taylor

Attendance: 5,056 (510 from Luton)