Taylor Allen free-kick rescues point for leaders Walsall

Taylor Allen’s late free-kick rescued a point for stuttering League Two leaders Walsall as they drew 1-1 with promotion rivals AFC Wimbledon.

The Saddlers defender curled home his eighth goal of the season from 20 yards to cancel out Omar Bugiel’s first strike in four months.

The draw keeps Walsall a point clear at the top but extended their winless run to seven games while Dons slip to fifth, two points off the top three.

The only real chance of a cagey first half was fashioned by Wimbledon as Alistair Smith played Marcus Browne in but Walsall keeper Sam Hornby rushed out to make a smart sprawling save.

The Dons wasted a good chance after the break, Browne side-footing wide before Walsall went close as Owen Goodman saved Charlie Lakin’s downward header.

But Wimbledon broke the deadlock on 70 minutes as substitute Bugiel drilled home an unerring follow-up from 18 yards after Hornby denied Smith.

Hornby beat away a Smith long-ranger to keep Walsall in it and, with three minutes left, Allen stepped up to find the bottom corner and salvage a draw.