Report and pictures: Walsall 0 Chesterfield 0 - Walsall win 5-3 on pens

The Saddlers, who look set to appoint Sean O'Driscoll as manager in the coming days, overcame Chesterfield following a dismal game at the Banks's Stadium.

With chances few and far between, the score remained at 0-0 throughout 120 minutes with Chesterfield skipper Sam Morsy then missing his resultant spot-kick.

But Walsall scored all five of their penalties with Romaine Sawyers, Jason Demetriou, George Evans, Milan Lalkovic and Paul Downing all finding the net to book their trip to Brentford.

Caretaker trio Jon Whitney, John Ward and Neil Cutler sprung a selection surprise in naming their starting XI for what was potentially their last game in charge.

Sam Mantom, who picked up an ankle injury in October's league clash with Chesterfield, was handed his first start since that 2-1 defeat.

It meant the Saddlers lined up in the 3-5-2 system used to such good effect earlier in the campaign with Jason Demetriou and Anthony Forde the wing-backs. Rico Henry and Tom Bradshaw missed out through injury.

For Chesterfield, former Wolves striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake was surprisingly amongst the substitutes.

Walsall were aiming to make it third time lucky against The Spireites having failed to beat them in two previous attempts this season.

And the Saddlers came flying out the blocks with Romaine Sawyers hitting a crisp low drive inside the opening two minutes which was expertly held by a diving Tommy Lee.

Both sides moved the ball around well in the opening stages, but with Walsall's play having more purpose.

And they threatened again midway through the half when Sawyers' dinked cross just evaded Jordan Cook and was swiftly turned behind by a defender.

The Saddlers were well on top but were struggling to create clear cut chances with Sawyers almost playing in Cook only for the strikers touch to let him down.

Chesterfield threatened for the first time on the half hour mark when Ollie Banks' free-kick was headed goalwards by Ian Evatt. But Neil Etheridge comfortably claimed.

Undeterred, the Saddlers continued to press and came a whisker away from breaking the deadlock moments later.

Sawyers majestically brought down a long ball on halfway and found Mantom with a neat back-hell - the midfielder then driving at goal before winning a free-kick on the edge of box.

Forde stood over the resultant set-piece and curled a delicious strike inches past the post.

Walsall had enjoyed the lion's share of possession but it was largely in front of Chesterfield who were happy to defend with two banks of four.

Yet the visitors showed they still carried a threat in stoppage time when a high ball into the box was punched clear by Etheridge but only as far Jay O'Shea who flashed wide from an acute angle.

It was the Saddlers who continued on the front foot at the start of the second half with Forde whipping a ball right across the danger area that almost crept in at the far post.

Chesterfield responded with Mani Dieseruvwe heading weakly at Etheridge before a swift counter saw Lee Novak whip in a cross that went over the keeper but dropped wide.

The Spireites were now seeing more of the ball and after some excellent build-up play, Novak teed up O'Shea who whipped a beautiful strike narrowly passed the post.

With the game suddenly very open, Walsall's management trio swapped Mantom for Milan Lalkovic and in doing so switching to a 4-1-4-1 system.

And the move almost proved inspired when Lalkovic galloped down the left flank before hitting a low shot which Lee comfortably gathered.

The Spireites had shaded the second half but with both teams lacking a cutting edge, Walsall switched Cook for Kieron Morris in a change that saw Lalkovic become the loan striker.

With extra time looming, the Saddlers almost won it when a brilliant cross-field ball from George Evans found Morris.

The talented winger rode a number of challenges to get to the edge of the box but then hit a weak strike which Lee easily saved.

Walsall were out of the traps fastest at the start of extra time with Lalkovic scampering into the box and getting himself into a good position before dragging his shot wide.

But it wasn't until the second half of extra time that the game produced its next chance with Ebanks-Blake heading over a whipped Novak ball for what had been Chesterfield's best moment of the tie.

Continuing to fight for that place in the third round, Walsall responded with Morris getting to the byline and delivering a low ball which evaded everyone.

Brilliant play from James Baxendale, on for Forde, then teed up Adam Chambers who saw his deflected strike from 30 yards sail agonisingly past the post.

The Saddlers were now rampant and they came a whisker away once more when Morris rattled the crossbar from the edge of the box.

Undeterred, Walsall continued to press with Morris brilliantly taking down a diagonal ball and darting into the box before hitting a low effort which Lee expertly stopped.

But in the 120th minute Walsall were presented with a golden chance to win the tie.

Lalkovic delivered a brilliant cross which Baxendale just had to tap home, but six yards from goal the creative schemer side-footed wide to ensure the tie would go to penalties.