Walsall made one change from Tuesday's 3-0 win against Oldham Athletic with Dwayne Mattis returning at the expense of Josh O'Keefe as Chris Hutchings went for the more experienced midfielder. A quiet start to the game for both sides with Brentford getting caught offside three times within the first eight minutes. The Bees also had the ball in the net in this period but the referee had long since blew up.
In the 8th minute Darren Byfield gave away a free kick for handball. Soon afterwards the home side won their first corner. John Bostock took it and Leon Legge rose above Manny Smith and headed home from close range. Steve Jones was covering at the left post and when he failed to keep it out Matt Richards went beserk at the winger which was a bit harsh but at least he cared enouth to make his feelings known.
So just like the previous Saturday in the league game, Saddlers found themselves a goal down at around the same point and Brentford became inspired by it and were in control of the game. Brentford forced no less than six corners without reply which gives an indication of how much on top they were. On 14 minutes Matty Richards was on target from a free kick but was a tame effort that lacked any pace.
Steve Jones came to Walsall's rescue on 24 minutes as he cleared a certain goal from just two yards out with Clayton Ince beaten.On the half hour mark Mattis gave away a needless free kick which Bostock took but thankfully for Saddlers it went just over the bar and a couple of minutes later Mark Bradley had an attempt easily saved.Walsall had to wait till the 38th minute to force their first corner of the game. Mattis got himself booked in the 43rd minute and as the half time whistle blew for the second week in a row a section of the travelling fans booed off the players. It was a fustrating first half for them as the players gave the ball away too cheaply and never looked a threat in front of goal.
Brentford started the second half still pressing forward and won another corner on 48 minutes. Five minutes later Jones was free of his marker, raced to the by-line and put in a searching ball which the keeper fumbled but nobody on hand to punish. Walsall forced another corner on 58 minutes but again nothing came from it. On 68 minutes Rhys Weston found himself in a good position but again another shot far too tame.At least Walsall were beginning to look for a goal now and almost had one on 68 minuts when Deeney found himself free in the box and shot goalwards. A Brentford player recovered and stuck out a foot and it flew over for a corner.
The fans stared to get behind the team again and Steve Jones tormented the home defence a couple of times with his pace and passing .Byfield got another weak shot in and on 78 minutes was withdrawn to give Sam Parkin 12 minutes plus time added on.Bradley had a shot at goal saved. Parking was starting to unsettle the defenders in the air and on the floor.Captain Mark Hughes was sent forward the last few minutes of the game but it just wouldn't go in. So the final whistle went and with it went the hopes of reaching Round Three and going on a decent cup run for once.