Carabao Cup: Bristol City 0-1 Walsall: Lee Grant era begins with memorable upset

Saddlers pull off a memorable cup upset against their Championship opponents.

Walsall started the Lee Grant era with a stunning 1-0 victory against Championship side Bristol City at Ashton Gate in the Carabao Cup first round.

Aaron Pressley is mobbed by his Walsall teammates after scoring the match-winner against Bristol City. | Owen Russell

placeholder image — Aaron Pressley is mobbed by his Walsall teammates after scoring the match-winner against Bristol City. | Owen Russell

Aaron Pressley scored the decisive goal just two minutes into the second half when he fired Reece Smith’s low cross into the far top corner.

Jed Ward produced a series of heroic saves to help Walsall book their place in the next round.

Grant tweaked his formation to a 3-4-3 and oversaw an excellent Walsall performance on his competitive debut.

Lee Grant made a memorable, and winning start, to his Walsall spell. | Owen Russell

Ryan Leak stuck out a vital leg to keep out Lisav Eissat’s goal-bound effort and Jed Ward denied Jed Wallace’s volley from an acute angle. Alas, Leak was forced off after appearing to hold his groin.

Walsall had arguably the best chance to open the scoring when Sam Tickle produced a series of saves in quick succession.

Pressley’s header was repelled by Tickle, as was the follow-up, before Isaac Moore’s attempt from a tight angle was also batted behind by the Robins’ shot-stopper.

Lorent Tolaj was expertly denied by Ward on the cusp of half-time, as Walsall largely kept the hosts at bay in the first half.

Pressley celebrates his Walsall match-winner. | Owen Russell

The Saddlers seized their next chance just two minutes after the restart when Pressley opened his goal scoring account for the campaign.

Smith broke free again down the left and squared for the Scotsman to sweep his finish into the top corner.

James Connolly produced a heroic goal-line clearance to prevent Pring’s stabbed finish from trickling over the line.

The onslaught inevitably came in the closing stages, but Ward produced a pair of outstanding saves to keep out Rob Dickie’s header at his near post and Max Bird’s low drive from distance.

Next, Walsall travel to the Priestfield Stadium to face Gillingham in their League Two opener on August 15.

Teams

Walsall (3-4-3): Ward; Burke, Leak (Connolly 32), Skura; Ahui (Browne 62), Sprangler, Moore (Crew 62), Hancock; Clarke (Simper 62), Pressley, Smith (Dallas 66).

Not used: Kilroy, Sodje, Harper, Adomah.

Bristol City (4-2-3-1): Tickle; Tanner (Williams 78), Dickie, Eissat, Pring; Randell (Ballard 59), Knight; Wallace (Hirakawa 57), Bird, Greenwood (Twine 69); Tolaj (Riis 69).

Not used: Collins, Atkinson, Eile, Gibson.