Saddlers lose shoot-out to Rochdale

Walsall were dumped out of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy after losing 3-1 on penalties at Rochdale.

Super sub Kevan Hurst cancelled out David Ball's opener with his first touch to make it 1-1 at full time before the penalty drama.

Richard Taundry and Hurst's spot kicks were saved by goalkeeper Jake Kean, before Ryan Jarvis smashed his effort over the bar.

Ashley Grimes, Jason Kennedy and David Ball all converted to second Dale through to the area quarter-final.

Walsall manager Dean Smith made six changes from Saturday's 1-1 draw with Carlisle.

Darryl Westlake, Andy Butler, David Martin, Alex Nicholls, Anton Peterlin and Claude Gnakpa all returned.

The teams had struggled in League One this term and the first-half highlighted why their season's had yet to ignite.

Insipid and scrappy, the hosts and the Saddlers failed to take control of a game which was there to win – for either side.

Joe Thompson and Kennedy fired wide from distance, with the Saddlers' defence largely untroubled.

And the visitors, after a timid first-half, conjured the best chances just before the break.

Kean scrambled to sweep Will Grigg's shot away, after it had hit Ahmad Benali, before pushing away Martin's low effort.

In contrast to the first-half though, the second started with a bang when Ball's looping volley dropped into the top corner just four minutes after the re-start.

That Kennedy's drive deflected to the striker was a slice of good fortune for the hosts, but Walsall paid for reacting second to the loose ball.

Smith reacted by throwing on Hurst and Jarvis and Hurst hauled the Saddlers level with his first touch on 66 minutes.

Martin did well down the left and his flighted cross was guided in by Hurst from six yards.

The goal re-energised the Saddlers and Martin, fresh from his confidence-boosting assist, tested Kean with another low drive after skinning two Dale defenders.

Goalkeeper Jimmy Walker saved well at Grimes' feet late on but neither team could break the deadlock and the game went to penalties.

But Taundry – on as a 90th minute substitute – and Hurst saw their kicks saved by Kean before Jarvis blazed his kick over as the Saddlers crashed out.