Report: Walsall 1-0 Saints

The only goal of the game was scored by former Birmingham City defender Dan Scarr on the stroke of half time, who netted from close range after being well found by full-back Zak Jules.

Saints troubled the hosts throughout, though, and were unlucky not to make a breakthrough themselves, particularly in the second period – substitute Christian Norton with the visitors’ best chance of the game midway through the half.

The result means that Radhi Jaïdi’s side are unlikely to progress from their pool, which Walsall incidentally top, but can take plenty of valuable lessons from the experience; not least the knowledge that they are able to go toe-to-toe with senior opposition.

Their final group stage game takes place against Coventry City in early November.

Saints, in their yellow and grey strip, were only once undone, which proved to be the decider. The goal arrived cruelly in first-half stoppage time, when Jules reached the by-line down the left, and pulled the ball back for Scarr centrally, who was unusually advanced from centre-back.

His first time finish flashed beyond Harry Lewis and gave the home side the advantage - the final kick of a fairly evenly contested first half.

Dan N’Lundulu was the first Saints player to trouble keeper Liam Roberts in the second 45, before substitute Norton forced the Walsall stopper into two saves in quick succession.

The first, from inside the area, produced a fine reaction stop, while the second looked destined for the bottom right corner from the edge of the box, before the hand of Roberts intervened.

Walsall's Josh Gordon had the chance to seal the tie ten minutes from time when presented with a 1v1 opportunity, but Lewis stood tall and saved with his legs, much to the consternation of the 800 strong crowd. 

Kayne Ramsay got into a few promising positions down the right in the final stages, but the final pass fell short, as Saints continued to create, but were ultimately unable to level proceedings. The visitors were far from outplayed by their more experienced counterparts, but forced to leave the Banks's Stadium with little to show for their gutsy efforts.