Walsall 1 Sunderland 1 - Report and pictures

The result, the second time the teams have drawn in a week, means they will meet again in a replay at the Stadium of Light which is expected to take place on Tuesday, December 11.

It was the visitors who grabbed the lead in an otherwise even first-half with Aiden McGeady firing in a Bryan Ovideo cross from six-yards.

But Walsall pulled level after the interval with boyhood Newcastle fan Andy Cook brilliantly sweeping in a Nicky Devlin cross.

From that point it was Dean Keates’ side who looked more likely to grab a winner.

Morgan Ferrier went through on goal only to see a low strike saved by the legs of Jon McLaughlin. Cook then headed an Isaiah Osbourne cross against the bar.

But in the end neither side was able to find a winner in what proved and even and keenly contested cup tie.

Analysis

Keates opted to make tweaks to both the system and personnel for Sunderland’s second visit to the Banks’s Stadium in the space of seven days.

Switching to a 4-3-3 formation, Connor Johnson came in at centre-half with Russell Martin unwell and Jack Fitzwater unavailable under the terms of his loan.

Isaiah Osbourne was also restored in midfield with Morgan Ferrier and Josh Gordon operating either side of Andy Cook in attack.

Sunderland made one chance from the team that secured a 2-2 draw last weekend with Luke O’Nien replacing George Honeyman.

It meant the Black Cats lined up in a 4-2-3-1 system with Josh Maja the lone striker and Chris Maguire, Lynden Gooch and McGeady operating just behind.

Sunderland had dominated the early stages last weekend but that wasn’t the case here with both teams looking evenly matched in the opening 20 minutes.

But despite Ferrier looking bright out on the left, it was the Black Cats who threatened first when Bryan Ovideo hit a low drive frm 20-yards.

The strike was on target but Maja, just six-yards-out, then flicked the ball to change its course - with Liam Roberts doing well to get down to push the effort away.

The game settled down again after that chance with Sunderland just shading possession but with Walsall looking a threat on the break.

In the 37th minute though, the visitors got their noses in front.

Some lacklustre defending allowed Oviedo to send in a cross with Maja then backing into Jon Guthrie to allow the ball to roll through to McGeady.

And the former Everton man then emphatically fired in from just six-yards.

Walsall pressed for an equaliser in the closing stages of the half with Ferrier unable to get a shot away after a long throw was flicked into his path.

Cook, from wide on right, then flashed a cross-come-shot across the face of goal.

The Saddlers continued to look bright following the interval with Ferrier sending a cross to the back post which Nicky Devlin did well to head back into the danger area.

But despite the Scotsman’s efforts, nobody was on hand to turn the ball in from close range.

Just seconds later though, Keates’ men were level with Devlin again at the heart of the action.

This time the full-back sent in a cross which Cook brilliantly swept into the net from 12-yards.

A boyhood Newcastle supporter, the striker then across to the Sunderland fans to celebrate.

The goal sparked a frantic few minutes that then saw both teams threaten.

First, McGeady hit a dipping and swerving strike from 15-yards which Roberts did well to beat away.

Then a long Walsall ball forward was nodded up instead of away by Baldwin - with Ferrier taking it in his stride to run through on goal.

Under pressure from three defenders though, the former Boreham Wood men then saw a low effort saved by the legs of McLaughlin.

Just minutes later the Saddlers came even closer to taking the lead when Osbourne sent in a cross which Cook headed onto the crossbar.

With 10 minutes remaining it was the Saddlers who were looking more likely to get a winner.

And they almost got one when Gordon’s hooked cross was met by Cook but the striker’s header was straight at McLaughlin.

Both teams then huffed and puffed in the closing stages to no avail with a replay now expected to take place on Tuesday, December 11.

Teams

Walsall: Roberts, Leahy, Guthrie, Johnson, Devlin, Osbourne, Kinsella, Dobson, Ferrier (Ginnelly 88), Cook, Gordon.

Subs not used: Dunn, Edwards, Morris, Kouhyar, Parker, Ronan.

Sunderland: McLaughlin, Matthews, Oviedo (Sinclair 63) Gooch (Mumba 75), Flanagan, O'Nien, Baldwin, James, McGeady, Power, Maja.

Subs not used: Ruiter, Maguire, Ozturk, Bainbridge, Hackett.