Checkatrade Trophy: Sheffield United 1 Walsall 2 - Report and pictures

Goals from Scott Laird and Amadou Bakayoko saw Jon Whitney's side run out 2-1 winners at Bramall Lane to ensure they have taken six points from six in Northern Group H.

It means the Saddlers will make it through to the second round of the tournament even if they lose November's clash with Leicester.

Controversial changes that have seen Premier League and Championship sides enter under-23 teams into the tournament meant a crowd of just 2,619 watched the tie – with 100 Saddlers fans making the journey.

But despite the low attendance, boss Jon Whitney will be delighted with his side's display with Kevin Toner, Scott Laird and Josh Ginnelly all performing well.

In naming his starting line-up, Whitney plumped for a mixture of youth and experience with five changes to the side that beat Millwall.

Goalkeeper Craig MacGillivray and youngsters Matt Preston, Josh Ginnelly and Amadou Bakayoko were all given the opportunity to impress.

There was also a return for Joe Edwards who started in central midfield having completed his three match suspension for a red card picked up against Bolton.

The game mirrored what was a flat and subdued atmosphere in the opening 15 minutes with both sides passing the ball around well but without creating any clear chances.

That changed in the 15th minute though when Walsall took the lead with their first shot on goal.

Defender Reece Brown got his timings horribly wrong and sent a routine clearance high into their air and back inside his own penalty box.

Bakayoko collected the loose ball and arrowed a cross-come-shot which Laird tapped in at the back post for his first goal in Walsall colours.

Sheffield United responded with John Fleck doing well to win the ball from Jason McCarthy before delivering a cross which David Brooks fired over from 12-yards.

It was Whitney's side who were in the ascendancy though and they threatened once again when Oztumer saw a strike deflected wide after he had combined well with Edwards in the box.

The Saddlers had controlled the majority of the half with Oztumer and Franck Moussa bright and Edwards working tirelessly in the middle of the park.

But the Blades began to grow in stature as the half-time whistle approached with Chris Wilder's side having two good chances to pull level.

First, Jack O'Connell rose highest from a corner only to see his header deflected over the bar by Preston.

Then from the resultant set-piece, MacGillivray did well clear the ball from under his own crossbar with Chris Basham loitering.

The second half began with the Blades enjoying a sustained spell of pressure and they almost pulled level when Done came a whisker away from connecting with a dangerous Chris Basham cross.

Walsall hit-back with Ginnelly picking up the ball on the left flank and cutting inside a defender before hitting a rasping drive which Simon Moore parried away.

Buoyed, the Saddlers continued to press and they should have doubled their advantage on the hour mark.

Oztumer sent Ginnelly galloping away down the wing where the youngster whipped in a cross that was met with a powerful diving header from Bakayoko.

But Moore was equal to the effort and produced a spectacular stop from point-blank range to keep his side in the tie.

Minutes later though, Walsall did grab their second. Laird ran the length of the pitch to latch onto a Moussa pass and deliver a low cross into the box.

And the full-back's efforts proved worth it when Bakayoko meet the ball and guided a smart finish beyond Moore and into the bottom left corner.

United's response was instant and they pulled one back when substitute Paul Cotts fired home from 25-yards after the Saddlers only half-cleared a corner.

Then with less than 10 minutes remaining, Mark Duffy burst into the box and curled an effort that sailed inches past the post.

Wilder's side continued to press for an equaliser as the clock ticked towards the 90 and they should have got it when the ball broke kindly for Basham eight yards from goal.

The midfielder seemed destined to burst the back of the net but Edwards bravely threw himself in front of the ball to block the effort.

Whitney's men then saw out four minutes of stoppage time relatively comfortably to grab their second win in the space of four days.