Morecambe 2 Walsall 0 - Report and pictures

Walsall suffered their first defeat of the season and were knocked out of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy following a 2-0 defeat at League Two Morecambe.

[gallery]

Last year's beaten finalists exited this season's competition in the first round following second half goals from Jamie Devitt and Tom Barkhuizen.

In an even and entertaining encounter at the Globe Arena, Walsall enjoyed a lot of possession but failed to take their chances when they came long.

And they were made to pay by Jim Bentley's Shrimps who scored two spectacular goals to earn a place in the second round.

Boss Dean Smith made six changes from the side that ruthlessly dispatched crisis club Blackpool on Saturday.

With Neil Etheridge and Jason Demetriou away on international duty, Craig MacGillivray started in goal with Liam Kinsella at right-back.

There were also recalls for James Baxendale, Milan Lalkovic, Matt Preston and Kieron Morris, as Smith plumped for a 4-1-4-1 formation.

Morecambe could only name four substitutes, after Alan Goodall was injured in the warm up and replaced by former Shrewsbury winger Jamie Devitt.

Walssall entered the game having not won seven matches in a row since the 1959-60 season. But after a cagey opening, it was the Saddlers who registered the game's first real chance.

Sam Mantom's corner somehow found it's way to Lalkovic in the box and the Slovakian had time to take a touch, before hitting a low drive which was blocked by Adam Dugdale.

Morecambe: Roche, McGowan, Kenyon (Bailey 70), Dugdale, Barkhuizen (Bondswell 90), Molyneux, Mullin, Devitt, Fleming, Ryan (Miller 68), Parrish.

Subs not used: O'Hara, Bondswell.

Walsall: MacGillivray, Kinsella, O'Connor, Preston, Taylor, Chambers, Lalkovic (Forde 65), Baxendale (Sawyers 65), Mantom, Morris (Cook 65), Bradshaw.

Subs not used: Jezeph, Downing.[/breakout]

Smith's side were enjoying the lion's share of possession with the Shrimps looking dangerous on the break.

And it was the home side who should have broken the deadlock, as the game approached the half-hour mark.

Barkhuizen galloped down the right-flank and whipped in an inviting ball for the onrushing Andrew Fleming.

The attacking midfielder did well to get in-between the two Walsall two centre-halves, but fired horribly over from six-yards when he should have scored.

Neither goalkeeper had made a save of note as the clock ticked past 35 minutes. But that changed when Tom Bradshaw stung the palms of Barry Roche from 20-yards with a fierce drive.

Morecambe responded immediately, Devitt bursting into the box and hitting a low strike, which MacGillivray got down well to parry away.

From the resultant corner, Jack Ryan headed over from six yards. But with two minutes of the half remaining, some wonderful build-up play saw the Saddlers work a golden opportunity to take the lead.

Bradshaw turned on the edge of the box and cleverly slipped Adam Chambers in on goal.

But instead of just tucking the ball past the keeper, the skipper struggled to get the ball from under his feet and curled wide.

Morecambe registered the first chance after the break – Paul Mullin cutting in from the left flank and curling an effort from distance that nestled onto the roof of the net.

Undeterred, Walsall hit back and were unfortunate not to opening the scoring. Mantom's mis-hit shot powered across the six-yard box with Bradshaw reacting quickest to turn the ball towards goal.

But the striker's effort was straight at Roche who comfortably claimed – either side of the goalkeeper and the Saddlers would have been ahead.

The miss was to prove costly, with Morecambe taking the lead just moments later.

Devitt cut in form the left wing and hit a spectacular long range strike which clipped the post and bar before nestling into the top corner.

[related_posts title="More on Walsall"]

Smith responded by making a triple change. Romaine Sawyers, Anthony Forde and Jordan Cook all introduced at the expense of Morris, Baxendale and Lalkovic.

And the move looked to be a positive one with Forde immediately forcing Roche into a smart save from 25-yards.

From the resultant corner, Preston rose highest but Roche again was equal to the effort.

Again the miss proved costly with the Shrimps going straight up the other end to double their lead.

Barkhuizen used blistering pace to collect the ball and dart into the box before coolly slotting the ball into the bottom corner to give MacGillivray no chance.

Minutes later and it could have been three. Barkhuizen rattling the post with a curling strike with Devitt keeping the move alive before firing inches wide.

Determined not to go out of the cup, Walsall began hammering on the Morecambe door. First Bradshaw twisted and turned in the box, before seeing his strike saved by the legs of Roche.

Then cook sent a dripping strike flashing past the post from the edge of the box. And in stoppage time Forde saw a 25-yard free-kick tipped onto the post by Roche.

[comments_cta header="What do you think?" text= "How did you rate the Walsall performance tonight?" button="Log in and start commenting"]

[interruptor]