Spireites KO Saddlers

Walsall were knocked out of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy 2-1 by a more determined Chesterfield on Tuesday night.

It was the first time the Spireites had ever beaten the Saddlers in a cup competition, and, for the third year in succession, Walsall were dismissed from the competition by a team from a lower division and the Saddlers were watched by the smallest ever crowd at the Banks' Stadium - just 1,793. Chesterfield took the lead with a sparkling goal on 14 minutes, with the lively Craig Davies sending Drew Talbot racing clear down the right with an overhead flick, and the winger's cross was met at the far post by Jordan Bowery whose header just skipped inside the right-hand post. Walsall equalised in the 19th minute with Reuben Reid, on loan from West Brom, picking up his second goal for the club with a fierce volley after Richard Taundry's cross caused problems for the visitors' defence. Chesterfield continued to be the sharper team and scored what proved to be the winner in the 33rd minute - Dean Morgan easily turning past Darryl Westlake to hammer a drive past Jonny Brain. Walsall huffed and puffed in the second half but the closest they came to forcing a penalty shoot-out was when Matt Richards hit a post eight minutes from the end.