Checkatrade Trophy: Walsall 1 Oldham 3 - Report

Analysis

Controversial changes that have allowed Premier League and Championship sides to enter under-21 teams into the tournament meant a crowd of just 925 supporters purchased tickets for the tie.

Walsall's previous lowest attendance arrived in the same competition earlier this year when 1,022 watched the victory over Grimsby.

But the 925 crowd was the first time the Saddlers had registered a sub-1000 attendance at home since 1945 – when they faced Mansfield during the Second World War.

It capped a miserable night for Jon Whitney's side who exited the competition despite taking a first half lead through Amadou Bakayoko.

The striker netted his eighth of the campaign on the stroke of half-time. But goals from substitutes Lee Croft and Lee Erwin as well as a Cameron Burgess header sent the Latics through to the last 16.

In naming his starting line-up, boss Whitney made five changes to the team that slipped to defeat at Fleetwood on Saturday.

Switching to a midfield diamond formation, Craig MacGillivray, Liam Kinsella, Flo Cuvelier, Isaiah Osbourne and Simeon Jackson were all handed a chance to impress.

It was a system that saw Dobson sit at the diamond's base, with Cuvelier and Osbourne central and Kinsella occupying the number 10 role.

Oldham showed how seriously they were taking the competition by making just one change from their draw at Oxford with striker Freddie Ladapo replacing Paul Green.

It was the visitors who started on the front foot with Steve Robinson's side twice coming close to breaking the deadlock inside the opening 10 minutes.

First, Ryan McLaughlin burst into the box and arrowed a strike that looked destined for the top corner.

But MacGillivray was equal to the effort, with the glovesman producing a spectacular stop to tip the ball onto the crossbar.

Then just minutes later, Billy McKay latched onto a low cross just yards from goal, but the Saddlers keeper bravely dived at the striker's feet to prevent him getting a shot away.

Despite those chances, Walsall had started well with Osbourne and Cuvelier popping up all over the park as they looked to drive their team forward.

And they should have broken the deadlock in the 18th minute when Cuvelier was presented with a glorious chance to open the scoring.

After carrying the ball more than 60-yards, Jason McCarthy slipped in Bakayoko who delivered a teasing ball across goal.

With the keeper stranded, it looked like the ball would simply be tapped into the net by Cuvelier. But the Belgian got his timings wrong and sent his effort wildly over the bar.

Oldham thought they had got themselves in front on the half hour when MacGillivray produced another spectacular stop to keep out a Cameron Burgess header from a free-kick wide on right.

McKay latched onto the loose ball and side-footed home from close range. But the fourth official raised his flag for offside - just as the striker wheeled away to celebrate.

Walsall responded with Cuvelier getting to the byline and clipping a cross to the back post which Jackson agonisingly failed to connect with.

But on the stroke of half-time, Whitney's side did get themselves in front thanks to a stunning goal from Bakayoko.

The striker collected the ball on the edge of the box and smashed an unstoppable strike into the side netting to give a diving Connor Ripley no chance.

Oldham made a double change during the interval, Carl Winchester and Lee Croft replacing Ryan Flynn and McLaughlin.

But the early stages of the second half proved cagey with both sides cancelling each other out and clear-cut chances at a premium.

Witney made his first change just past the hour with Franck Moussa replacing Kinsella. Osbourne then rifled a strike narrowly over from 25-yards.

But in the 68th minute, the visitors pulled level. Croft collected the ball 25 yards out and unleashed an unstoppable effort into the bottom corner – with the strike just as good as Bakayoko's opener.

Five minutes later and the Latics had completely turned the tie on its head when Ollie Banks' whipped in a dangerous cross from the right.

The delivery was met by Burgess who powered a header into the back of the net for his second goal in as many games.

Walsall almost got back on terms as the clock ticked towards the 80 minute mark with Scott Laird drilling a cross-come-shot in front of goal.

Jackson stretched out a leg to turn the ball into the net but the striker didn't get enough on it with the ball drifting wide.

Oldham then wrapped up the tie in the 89th minute when Erwin checked inside Kevin Toner before curling a fine effort across MacGillivray and into the far corner.