Carabao Cup: Walsall 3 Macclesfield Town 3 (1-3 pens) - Report and pictures

In an enthralling tie at the Banks’s Stadium, goals from Jamie Grimes and Harry Smith saw the Silkmen grab a 2-0 lead.

But Dean Keates side went on to turn the tie on it’s head with Kieron Morris, Andy Cook and Josh Gordon all netting to see them secure a 3-2 lead.

But inside the first few seconds of stoppage time, Macclesfield sub Tyrone Marsh sent in a cross which evaded everyone before nestling into the corner.

And that took the tie to penalties - with Manchester United loanee Kieran O’Hara making three excellent stops to see the League Two side in the hat for the next round,

Analysis

After putting in towering performances in the wins at AFC Wimbledon and Rochdale, boss Keates opted to utilise the strength of his squad when naming his starting line-up.

In total, the 40-year-old made five changes from those victories with Chris Dunn, Kane Wilson and Liam Kinsella all recalled following impressive displays in the first round win at Tranmere.

There was also a full debut for striker Josh Gordon following his summer arrival from Leicester. Meanwhile, Maz Kouhyar was given a first start of the season on the left wing with Josh Ginnelly injured and Zeli Ismail suspended.

Macclesfield manager Mark Yates, a former teammate of Keates at Kidderminster Harriers, lined up his team in a 4-3-3 system with Malachi Napa joining Harry Smith and Nathan Blissett in attack.

In what proved a frantic start, the Saddlers played some good football in the opening stages that saw them twice come close to breaking the deadlock.

First, Luke Leahy’s pass sent Gordon racing away down the left with the striker then smartly playing in Kouhyar.

The Afghanistan international then looked to lift the ball over Kieran O’Hara.

But the keeper got the slightest of touches and that and that allowed David Fitzpatrick to get back and hack clear from just in front of his own goal-line.

Moments later, and after more good football, Andy Cook teed up Gordon who fired over from 20-yards.

But in the 10th minute, the Silkmen got their noses in front against the run of play.

Following a long-throw, the ball fell for Napa whose shot from distance took a wicked deflection before cannoning against the post.

And Grimes was then in the right place to fire in from close range.

That goal aside, the opening 25 minutes had been all Walsall with Macclesfield defending well despite having to withstand some heavy pressure.

And out of the blue, the visitors then doubled their advantage with Smith sending a brilliant strike into the corner of the net from 20-yards.

Walsall responded almost immediately with Morris netting his second spectacular goal of the month.

The winger darted at goal before unleashing a fierce strike that flew past Manchester United loanee O’Hara and into the back of the net.

From that point, the Saddlers went in search of a second in a bid to go in at the break on terms.

But the Silkmen again did enough to keep them at bay with O’Hara making two good stops to keep out Cook and Morris from 20-yards.

Walsall continued on the front foot after the re-start but it was the visitors who created the first real chance of the half - with Dunn doing well to race off his line and deny Smith after he had been slipped through on goal.

In the space of a few minutes though, Walsall then went from being behind to turning the tie completely on its head.

Keates’ side pulled level just past the hour mark when Fiacre Kelleher was judged to have pulled the shirt of Cook in the box.

The striker dusted himself down to take the resultant penalty.

But while his initial effort was saved by O’Hara, the ball rebounded to the former Tranmere man who simply tapped into an empty net.

And with the wind in their sails, Walsall went on to gain the lead just 60 seconds later.

After good work from Morris, Wilson whipped in a delivery which Kouhyar cut-back across goal.

And there waiting was Gordon who made no mistake from just inside the six-yard-box.

From that point the game ebbed and flowed but with both teams looking tired, clear-cut chances proved few and far between.

Seconds into stoppage time though, the Silkmen netted to take the tie to penalties when a cross from substitute Tyrone Marsh evaded everyone before nestling into the net.

And the shoot-out proved disastrous for the Saddlers with Cook, Leahy, and Morris all seeing spot-kicks saved by O’Hara.

Kouhyar did score for Walsall, but with Whitaker, Smith and Fitzpatrick all scoring - it was the Silkman who made it through to the third round.

Teams

Walsall (4-4-2): Dunn, Leahy, Guthrie, Fitzwater, Wilson, Kouhyar, Dobson, Kinsella, Morris, Cook, Gordon (Parker 87).

Subs not used: Roberts, Devlin, Cockerill-Mollett, Sangha, Ferrier, Candlin.

Macclesfield (4-3-3): O'Hara, Fitzpatrick, Kelleher, Grimes, Smith, Blissett (Wilson 77), Napa (Marsh 73), Evans, Maycock (Welch-Haynes 77), Pearson, Whitaker.

Subs not used: Taylor, Lowe, Vincenti, Arthur.