FA Cup: Gateshead 0 Walsall 2 - Professional Saddlers book third round slot

The Saddlers settled into the game quickly and they could and should have taken the lead inside the opening seven minutes as Jamille Matt wasted a golden chance to give his side a perfect start in the North East rain.

The chance owed much to the desire and persistence of Ryan Finnigan as he broke through two challenges on the right-hand side before driving the the ball across the six-yard box.

It appeared to have presented Matt with a simple tap-in at the far post - but the former Forest Green Rovers forward got his feet in a tangle and the ball trickled out of play.

Another chance presented itself just after the quarter-hour mark as defender Aden Flint rose highest at the far post as he met a free-kick from the left-hand side - but his header sailed harmlessly over the crossbar.

It was a case of third-time lucky for the Saddlers as they took they lead just after the midway point of the first-half - although their National League hosts will not look on the goal with any pride.

A sloppy pass out of defence by Ben Williams was seized upon by Finnigan and his attempts to drive goalwards were ended by hosts captain Kenton Richardson.

Referee James Oldham wasted little time in pointing to the penalty spot and Daniel Kanu stepped up to send Gateshead goalkeeper Tiernan Brooks the wrong way, much to the delight of around 500 travelling supporters.

The Heed did improve as the half wore on and on-loan Leicester City youngster Kian Pennant caused some problems for the Saddlers defence without ever really threatening to grab an equaliser ahead of half-time.

With the persistent downpour still battering the International Stadium pitch, the Saddlers players could look back on a solid opening 45 minutes as they made their way towards the away dressing room after producing a hardworking display to maintain their lead.

That lead was doubled within three minutes of the restart as Flint made no mistake with a neat finish after he met a free-kick from Weir.

A foul on Jid Okeke allowed Weir to send a dangerous cross into the Gateshead box and that was neatly diverted beyond Heed keeper Brooks by the powerful centre-back.

The pressure was firmly placed upon the non-league side as the Saddlers continued to play on the front foot and only a smart save from Brooks prevented Kanu from adding a third goal before the hour-mark.

With a two-goal advantage in place and a spot in Monday’s draw looking secure, Sadler opted to ring the changes as he opted to replace the impressive Finnigan and Matt with Albert Adomah and Jamie Ellis with just over half an hour left on the clock.

It was Adomah that almost made an immediate impact as the experienced forward was released in on goal within five minutes of his arrival but he opted to try and find the unmarked Matt and his attempted pass was intercepted by Heed captain Richardson.

Jellis was also quickly into the action and he was the next Saddlers start to try his luck as a quick break prompted by an error in the home defence ended with the midfielder firing wide of the near post.

The chances continued to flow the way of Walsall as their hosts gradually faded with the final ten minutes approaching and only a smart reaction save from Brooks kept out a well-struck effort from Kemar Roofe.

With time slipping away, Gateshead had one final push but the closest they came to what could have been a lifeline was a deflected effort from substitute Dom Telford that slipped harmlessly wide of Myles Roberts’ right hand post.

Telford then went close with what was the last kick of the game as he worked himself into some space on the edge of the Saddlers area before sending a low drive goalwards that was collected by Roberts at the second attempt.

That was as good as it got for the North East outfit and Walsall can now add an FA Cup third round appearance to a season that is becoming increasingly exciting with every passing week.

Gateshead: Brooks, Elliott-Wheeler, Richardson (Butterfield), Williams (Bakare), Ferguson, John, Home (Newton), Edwards (Telford), Adom, Hurst (Nouble), Pennant. Subs: Leech, Flint, Grayson, Bone

Walsall: Roberts, Barrett, Flint, Farqhuarson, Matt (Adomah), Comley, Kanu (Roofe), Clarke (Lakin), Okeke (Harper), Finnigan (Jellis), Weirs Subs: Hornby, Ellis, Warrington, Richards, Browne