Walsall debrief: Changes galore, Stan Straw, Hollman hell and a new strike partnership
Walsall bowed out of the EFL Trophy after falling to a 4-2 defeat at Northampton Town in the round of 16.
Mat Sadler's charges missed the chance to qualify for the quarter-finals for the first time since reaching the final under Dean Smith in 2015.
Albert Adomah opened the scoring for Walsall inside five minutes, before Kamarai Swyer levelled with a thunderbolt 13 minutes later.
A Sam Hornby own goal followed by a composed Sam Hoskins' finish put the Cobblers on course for victory, although Daniel Kanu did halve the deficit 15 minutes from time.
However, Walsall had used all five substitutions and were forced to finish the game with 10-men when Jake Hollman was stretchered off late on.
In stoppage time, Priestley Farquharson lunged into a clumsy challenge on Kyle Edwards and Tom Eaves converted from the spot to wrap up the win.
Changes galore
Mat Sadler made 51 changes across the Saddlers' five games in the EFL Trophy - including 11 at Northampton.
Harrison Burke and Mason Hancock made long-awaited returns after lengthy spells on the side lines - while new signing Alex Pattison made his first start for the club.
Admittedly, Pattison was pretty anonymous during his 45-minute showing, but he will benefit from the game time in the tank.
After all, the midfielder had not started a game since his final game for former club Bradford on November 29.
Hancock and Burke both played 64 minutes each although the former appeared to have more rhythm in his game out of the pair.
Stan Straw shines again
