Gillingham 0-3 Walsall: Stunning late siege secures victory in Lee Grant's league bow

A late siege saw Walsall cap Lee Grant’s league debut with a 3-0 victory over Gillingham at the Priestfield Stadium.

Gillingham hit the crossbar three times - twice through Will Goodwin and James Brophy in first half stoppage time, and again when Goodwin fired a thunderous volley on to the upright in the second half.

But Isaac Moore climbed off the bench to open the scoring 10 minutes from time when he was on the prowl to convert Aaron Pressley’s rebounded header.

James Connolly doubled the Saddlers lead in the 89th-minute, before Pressley headed in a third during stoppage time.

Grant made four changes to the team that beat Bristol City 1-0 at Ashton Gate in the Carabao Cup first round last week.

Connolly, Charlie Crew, Lewis Simper and Andrew Dallas replaced Ryan Leak, Harrison Burke, Moore and Clarke.

Gillingham created the best opportunity of the opening exchanges when Armani Little scooped a cross to the back post, but Will Goodwin scuffed his finish straight at Jed Ward.

Charlie Crew screwed a half-volley wide of the target, but Walsall were unable to trouble Ashley Maynard-Brewer between the sticks.

It had been a relatively uneventful and scrappy affair until Gillingham burst into life in stoppage time with a flurry of chances.

Brophy’s powerful shot from distance looked destined for the top corner until Ward sprawled to his right to palm behind with a fine save.

Goodwin’s cross-cum-shot then rattled the crossbar, before Brophy took aim again and was also denied by the woodwork.

Walsall started the second half with good energy, but it was still Gillingham who were initially creating the better opportunities.

Goodwin spurned another great chance when he fired wide of the near post, while Ward produced a strong stop to palm away Ronan Hale’s low shot.

The crossbar then came to the Saddlers’ rescue for a third time when Goodwin’s venomous volley from the edge of the box cannoned off the upright.

Walsall weathered the storm and found the breakthrough when substitute Moore pounced on Pressley’s rebounded effort to smash home from close-range.

The visitors then burst into life and came close to a quickfire second when Tai Sodje nodded Pressley’s cross wide of the target.

Reece Smith squandered a gilt-edged chance when he failed to find the target from a matter of yards following Moore’s low centre.

The chances continued to come for Walsall in the latter stages when Courtney Clarke forced a smart near post save from Maynard-Brewer.

Connolly made sure of maximum points in the 89th-minute when he tapped in on the line, after Maynard-Brewer saved the initial effort from Walsall.

Pressley capped a magical afternoon when he dispatched a thunderous header into the far top corner from Courtney Clarke’s cross.

Next, Walsall welcome Grimsby Town for their first home fixture of the season in the lunch-time kick-off next Saturday.

Teams

Walsall (4-2-3-1): Ward; Ahui (Dixon 46), Connolly, Skura, Hancock (Burke 72); Sprangler, Crew (Moore 59); Simper (Clarke 59), Dallas (Sodje 67), Smith; Pressley.

Not used: Kilroy, Adomah.

Gillingham (3-4-2-1): Maynard-Brewer; Smith, Gordon (Dobbs 36), Beckles; Freeman, Little (McKenzie 30), Albarus, Harris; Brophy, Hale; Goodwin (Palmer-Houlden 72).

Not used: Holtam McManus, Antwi.

Other details

Referee: Emily Heaslip