Gallant Stourbridge gave Walsall a scare as the Saddlers scraped through their FA Cup derby.

Steve Jones’ fifth goal in five games won it but the Glassboys were never outclassed by their professional opponents.

Gary Hackett’s men were more than a match for their League One opposition, with centre-backs Sam Smith and Nathan Bennett faultless.

The hosts impressed with their smart football with their best chance falling to Ryan Rowe, but the striker could only shoot straight at goalkeeper Clayton Ince.

Alex Nicholls then kissed the bar in injury time for the Saddlers as the visitors made the second round at the War Memorial Ground.

Dwayne Mattis and Steve Jones replaced Richard Taundry and Peter Till while Stourbridge included former Villa trainee Stuart Brock in goal and former Manchester United youngster Sean Evans.

Brock saved from Troy Deeney and Darren Byfield in the opening 10 minutes which, aside from a brief dustup between Rhys Weston and Evans, lacked a certain spark.

The Saddlers, 95 places above their Southern League Premier Division hosts, began to find a rhythm but struggled to find a way past an impressive Stourbridge rearguard.

Stourbridge looked dangerous on the break but a goal from either side looked unlikely until the visitors broke the deadlock after 34 minutes.

Ross Collins missed Mark Hughes’ long ball and Jones nipped in to unleash a fierce drive into the roof of the net from 15 yards.

It was harsh on the Glassboys, who had defended stoutly and they mounted an impressive response.

Evans’ 25-yard free-kick was tipped wide by Clayton Ince and from the resulting corner Bennett headed over. Then in first half injury time Evans, the Glassboys’ main outlet, forced Ince into a low near post save.

Seven minutes after the break Byfield had the ball in the net after deflecting in Matt Richards’ shot, but was ruled offside. The striker then should have done better than to hit the side netting, after being put through by Deeney.

James Dyson was off target before Deeney headed wide on 65 minutes.

The second-half had the spark which the first-half lacked and the Glassboys wanted a penalty, when Manny Smith blocked Ryan Rowe’s shot but their appealed were turned down.

It now had the feel of a proper cup tie as the hosts pressed and Ben Billingham shot wide with 18 minutes to go.

The Glassboys were impressing with their efforts but lacked the killer touch and Stourbridge-born Nicholls hit the bar at the death for Walsall, as the home side couldn’t find a way through.