Walsall 0-1 Grimsby - report: Ryan Finnigan denied debut goal in narrow defeat
Debutant Ryan Finnigan saw his late goal disallowed for offside as Walsall fell to a 1-0 defeat against Grimsby Town at Bescot.
Evan Khouri scored the decisive goal in the 68th-minute when he converted the rebound after Aden Flint had cleared Kieran Green's initial header off the line.
Kabia had an effort turned on to the post by Myles Roberts late in the first half, before Dan Cox crashed an effort from distance on to the crossbar after the break.
Jonny Stuttle and Mason Hancock were forced off injured for Walsall, who were denied an equaliser when Ryan Finnigan had a goal disallowed for offside after heading in on the line.
Mat Sadler made one change from the Saddlers' 2-1 win at Barnet on Saturday with Lewis Warrington replacing Brandon Comley at the base of midfield.
Grimsby made two alterations, as Darragh Burns and Evan Khouri were given the nod over Justin Amaluzor and Jamie Walker.
The opening exchanges were eventful and took on an end-to-end theme. Stuttle drilled a deflected effort wide from distance and Jaze Kabia saw his finish diverted over at the end of a quick counter-attack.
Walsall went direct for the next chance with Aaron Pressley cushioned Roberts' long launch into the path of Charlie Lakin. The midfielder carried the ball into the penalty area but failed to keep a difficult chance down.
Christy Pym was tested twice in quick succession during a strong period for the Saddlers midway into the first half.
Lewis Warrington forced a low diving stop from the Grimsby shot-stopper with an effort from distance, and Pym foiled Lakin from close quarters after parrying Hancock's initial cross.
Bournemouth loanee Stuttle was forced off injured eight minutes before the break and replaced by veteran Adomah.
Jamie Jellis' free header was shovelled to safety by Pym and Grimsby sprung an immediate counter-attack which ended with Roberts tipping Kabia's finish onto the post.
Walsall suffered a second injury blow early in the second half when Hancock was stretchered off after landing awkwardly.
Grimsby broke on the counter-attack with Hancock in a heap but Roberts emerged quickly to smother Charles Vernam's shot.
Cox struck the crossbar just before the hour-mark when he unleashed a rocket from distance which swerved on to the crossbar.
Grimsby took the lead in the 68th-minute when Khouri slammed the rebound beyond Roberts after Green's initial header was cleared off the line by Flint.
Sadler brought on triple reinforcements for the closing stages and handed a Walsall debut to Ryan Finnigan who arrived on loan from Blackpool yesterday.
But Grimsby came close to doubling their advantage when Roberts produced a strong save to beat away Green's fierce shot from outside the box.
Finnigan thought he'd scored a debut goal when he got there in front of Adomah to head in on the line after Dan Cox's header was tipped on to the bar, but his celebrations were immediately dashed by the offside flag.
Next, Walsall welcome Salford City to Bescot in the early kick-off on Saturday.
Teams
Walsall (3-1-4-2): Roberts; Burke, Flint, Cox; Warrington; Barrett, Jellis (Hollman 72), Lakin (Hollman 72), Hancock (Clarke 57); Stuttle (Adomah 37), Pressley (Matt 72).
Unused: Hornby, Farquharson.
Grimsby (4-1-4-1): Pym; Rodgers, Tharme, McJannet, Sweeney; McEachran; Burns (Amaluzor 77), Green (Warren 89), Khouri, Vernam (Walker 82); Kabia (Gardner 77).
Unused: Auton, Turi, Staunton.
Match details
Referee: Matt Corlett
Attendance: 5,619 (729)
