Wanderers’ FA Cup campaign didn’t get past the first hurdle as Walsall came from behind to book their place in round two with a dramatic late winner, writes Pete Oliver.
The Whites led through Josh Sheehan’s superb free-kick 10 minutes into the second half.
But the League Two promotion-chasers hit back straight away through ex-Wanderer Liam Gordon.
And with the momentum swinging the Saddlers’ way, Jamie Jellis completed an upset when he drilled a shot past Luke Southwood in the 90th minute to send Wanderers out.
The Whites will therefore turn their attention back to their promotion challenge at Stockport next Saturday and the chance to try and secure a seventh win in nine league games.
With that target in mind – and the need to rotate an injury-hit squad – boss Ian Evatt made five changes to his starting line-up following the mid-week win at Stevenage.
Defensive strongman Ricardo Almeida was given a breather after playing every game so far this season, with Will Forrester earning a first start of campaign as one of those given valuable game-time.
Top scorer Dion Charles returned to the starting line-up and he had the best chance to give Wanderers an early lead but from George Johnston’s superb through-ball couldn’t beat goalkeeper Tommy Simkin.
Johnston was busy at both ends, clearing off the line from Albert Adomah and then sending a header against the bar in the Walsall box as the Whites again almost went ahead.
Evatt’s men should also have had a penalty when Scott Arfield was bundled over in the box but the Saddlers – second in their division on the back of five home league wins – also carried a threat.
Jellis went close in the opening minutes to give notice of his intent but when Wanderers did break the deadlock through Sheehan’s peach of a free-kick from close to 25 yards they looked the likely winners.
Instead, Gordon popped up with a rare goal as the Whites failed to deal with a free-kick delivered deep into their territory.
And that fired the Saddlers up to push on for the shock. Jellis hit a post and Luke Southwood made two big saves and just as Wanderers geared up for a late assault to try and avoid extra-time it was the hosts who pounced again on the break to book their passage through.
Another long ball wasn’t dealt with as Nathan Lowe won possession and teed up the impressive Jellis to fire home and consign the Whites to a first-round exit and the need to re-focus their efforts on the main prize.
Wanderers: Southwood; Dacres-Cogley, Forrester, Johnston (c); Sheehan, Williams, Matete, Lolos (Collins 68), Schön; Arfield (McAtee 68), Charles (Adeboyejo 75). Substitutes: Dallimore (GK), Almeida Santos, Inwood, Matheson, Lewis, Sharples-Ahmed.
Booked: Schön
Walsall: Simkin; Okagbue, Williams (Daniels 79), Allen ©; Barrett, Jellis, Stirk (Lakin 30), Earing (Hall 79), Gordon; Lowe, Adomah (Matt 86). Substitutes: Hornby (GK), McEntee, Cleary, Weir, Johnson.
Booked: Williams, Matt
Referee: Ruebyn Ricardo
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