Walsall 1 Carlisle 2 - Report and pictures

The Saddlers created several clear-cut chances in the first half but failed to take advantage of their early dominance.

The Blues then scored shortly after the start of the second half through a Nathan Thomas strike.

Elijah Adebayo brought Walsall level with an effort from close range before centre-back James Clarke was given a straight red card for pulling back Harry McKirdy as the forward raced on goal.

The Saddlers looked to have hung on to earn a point but McKirdy had the final say as he nodded past Liam Roberts in the final minute of added time to give Carlisle the win.

Darrell Clarke made five changes to the side that beat Scunthorpe 2-0 on Boxing Day, starting in a 4-4-2 formation.

Dan Scarr, Stuart Sinclair, Cameron Pring and Liam Kinsella, who all started the last fixture, didn’t make the squad.

Callum Cockerill-Mollett made his return from injury after a four-week absence, while Shay Facey also returned to the squad after missing the last game through injury.

Academy midfielder Sam Perry celebrated his 18th birthday with a place on the bench.

Chris Beech made two changes to his Carlisle side that drew 0-0 with Bradford on Boxing Day, starting in a 4-3-3 formation.

Both teams started the match slowly with neither side creating any meaningful chances in the opening 10 minutes.

Striker Josh Gordon did have his head bandaged, however, after taking a knock to the back of his head, but he was fine to continue playing.

The Saddlers almost created a good chance shortly after when a flowing attacking move released Facey on the right. His cross reached Caolan Lavery who tried to lay the ball off for Gordon, but it was cleared just ahead of him.

The biggest chance of the game came after 15 minutes, with Walsall going agonisingly close to scoring. Wes McDonald started the move with a delightful cross-field pass to Rory Holden. The midfielder then crossed for Lavery whose point-blank shot was saved and the follow-up was cleared just ahead of him by a Carlisle defender with the goal gaping.

Moments later Holden again crossed for Lavery who just missed the ball as he slid in, as the Saddlers started to build some momentum.

Walsall should have taken the lead after 25 minutes. A corner was headed by Gordon and superbly saved by Adam Collin onto the post. It then falls to McDonald who puts the ball over the bar from two yards out.

After the Saddlers failed to capitalise on their chances, Carlisle began to see more of the ball in forward areas. Hallam Hope fired wide from the edge of the box after half an hour.

But the next big chance again fell to a Walsall head. Another corner found Lavery who headed over from six yards.

The sides went into half time at 0-0.

Within minutes of the re-start, Carlisle took the lead. A swift counter attack saw Thomas racing down the left wing. He cut inside and his first shot was saved well before he reacted first to finish the rebound.

After an hour Byron Webster was lucky to escape a booking when he reacted angrily to a tussle with Gordon, grabbing the striker around the scruff of his shirt.

The introduction of Adebayo and James Hardy meant Walsall changed to a 4-3-3 formation, with Gordon moving to the right wing.

And as the game ticked into the 70th minute, the Saddlers equalised. A fast attacking move came down the left with McDonald. The winger let fly from the edge of the box and his shot smashed off the underside of the bar, leaving Adebayo with a tap in to level the score.

In the 77th minute Walsall were reduced to 10 men. Captain Clarke was given a straight red card for pulling back McKirdy as the attacker was racing through on goal.

Goalscorer Adebayo was then substituted as he was struggling with an injury. He was replaced by Zak Jules who was given his first minutes since November 9.

Walsall had backs to the wall as they hung on for a point before they suffered late heartbreak. McKirdy reacted ahead of Cockerill-Mollett to head home a winner in the final minute of added time, to send the travelling fans wild.

It meant Walsall’s unbeaten streak in the league ended with six games, with Carlisle handing Darrell Clarke’s team only their second loss in all competitions in the last 12 games.

Walsall: Roberts, Facey, Clarke, Sadler, Cockerill-Mollett, Holden (Hardy 66), Bates, Guthrie, McDonald, Gordon, Lavery (Adebayo 66, Jules 78).

Subs not used: Rose, Norman, Perry, Gaffney.

Carlisle: Collin, Iredale, Hayden, Thomas (Olomola 94), Jones, Hope, Scougall (Loft 45), McKirdy, Jones, Webster, Sagaf.

Subs not used: Gray, Mellish, Chambers, Bridge, Birch.

Attendance: 4,794 (376 away).