Walsall 2 Sunderland 2 - Report and pictures

Second-half Goals from Josh Gordon and Josh Ginnelly put the Saddlers two goals up against the Black Cats who saw Max Power sent off before the interval.

But despite having a two-goal lead, Dean Keates’ side couldn’t hold on against the promotion favourites with Aiden McGeady pulling one back on the hour mark.

Walsall had their chances to put the game to bed with Luke Leahy, Andy Cook and substitute Morgan Ferrier all able to convert decent headed chances.

And they were punished for not seeing the game out right at the end with Gooch firing in to break Saddlers’ hearts.

ANALYSIS

In naming his starting line-up, boss Keates opted to stick with the team that put in a resolute display in the goalless draw at Fleetwood last weekend.

It meant the Saddlers continued in a 4-4-2 formation with Josh Gordon partnering Andy Cook in attack while Josh Ginnelly and Zeli Ismail were on the wings.

Sunderland, under the guidance of Jack Ross, named a team packed with players who have appeared in either the Premier League or Championship.

Lining up in a 4-2-3-1 system the likes of Bryan Ovideo, George Honeyman, Aiden McGeady and Max Power were all in from the start.

Top scorer Josh Maja, who has been linked with moves to Spurs and Man City in recent weeks, was the lone frontman.

Despite Walsall working hard and pressing high up the pitch, it was the visitors who dominated the opening stages with the Black Cats forcing eight corners in the first 15 minutes.

But for all their possession, Ross’ side only created half-chances with Tom Flanagan heading a deep cross wide while Jack Baldwin saw a strike well blocked by Jon Guthrie.

Walsall threatened for the first time midway through the half when Russell Martin’s clever ball allowed Nicky Devlin to get the byline.

He then sent in a cross which Cook turned towards goal only for the effort to be claimed by Jon McLaughlin in the Sunderland goal.

The game’s biggest talking point arrived just moments later when Power was given his third red card of the campaign.

The midfielder and Kinsella both slid into a 50/50 challenge but with the former Wigan man appearing to have his studs over the ball.

And that led to referee Craig Kicks producing a straight red card.with over an hour still to play.

With a man advantage, the momentum completely shifted in Walsall’s favour with Sunderland suddenly coming under heavy pressure.

Keates’ men thought they had the lead when Cook headed in a wonderful Ginnelly cross only for the linesman to raise his flag.

And just before half-time, they missed a glorious chance to open the scoring.

After a hopeful pass forward, centre-back Baldwin inexplicably tried to shield the ball all the way back to his keeper.

But he was being husselled and harried by Dobson who managed to win possession just in front of the six-yard box.

Off balance and under pressure, the Saddlers skipper then poked the ball towards goal, but luck was against him with the effort cannoning back off the post.

Just minutes after the interval though, Walsall did go in front.

Wonderful hold-up play from Cook saw the targetmen collect the ball before spreading it wide to Devlin.

And he then sent in a cross which Gordon clevely flicked past the keeper and into the net.

Just moments later Walsall should have doubled their lead with Luke Leahy powering a header over from a corner.

But in the 52nd minute, they did grab a second with Ginnelly producing a goal of the season contender.

The winger collected the ball on the left before cutting inside onto his right foot.

And then from the corner of the box he unleashed a thunderbolt which nestled into the top corner and beyond the reach of a diving McLaughlin.

Against any other side in the league, Walsall would likely to have been home and dry.

But Sunderland pulled a goal back on the hour mark when Lynden Gooch’s cross from the left was prodded into the net by McGeady from 10-yards.

The goal lifted the visitors who then enjoyed a sustained spell of pressure in and around the Saddlers box.

Walsall weathered the storm though and they came close to grabbing a third in the 80th minutes when Leahy stood up a cross to the back post which Cook headed over.

Substitute Morgan Ferrier then headed another excellent Devlin cross over with five minutes to go.

Walsall should have put the game to bed as the clock ticked towards the 90 minute mark with Ginnelly initially doing brilliantly to intercept a pass in midfield.

The winger then looked to slip Ferrier in on goal but over hit his pass.

Back in possession, Sunderland swiftly moved the ball from one end of the pitch to the other.

The Black Cats almost got on terms only see an effort cleared off the line. But they kept the move alive with Gooch doing well to spin the box and fire past Roberts right at the very end.

Walsall: Roberts, Leahy, Guthrie, Martin, Devlin, Ginnelly, Kinsella, Dobson, Ismail (Morris 37), Gordon (Ferrier 79), Cook.

Subs not used: Dunn, Fitzwater, Wilson, Osbourne, Ronan.

Sunderland: McLaughlin, Matthews, Oviedo (O‘Nien 49), Honeyman, Gooch, Flanagan, Baldwin, James, McGeady, Power, Maja (Maguire 61).

Subs not used: Patterson, Loovens, Ozturk, Sinclair, Mumba.