Walsall 1-0 Alfreton Town: Jamille Matt's goal sends Saddlers into FA Cup third round
- Published
Highlights: Walsall v Alfreton Town
Jamille Matt scored the only goal of the game as Walsall made hard work of winning their FA Cup second-round replay against non-league Alfreton.
Despite a spirited effort from the sixth-tier Derbyshire side, it was the Saddlers who booked a third-round date at Southampton on 6 January.
League Two Walsall took just six minutes to succeed where they had failed at North Street a week earlier, as they took an early lead through Matt, who cashed in to redirect a miscued effort from Donervon Daniels.
Matt also wasted two good chances to score a second when he took too much time inside the box in one-on-ones.
Brandon Comley and Tom Knowles both tested visiting goalkeeper George Willis with fierce low shots from range.
Willis made an even better save when he acrobatically denied Ryan Stirk, before making a sharp save low down to scramble a Douglas James-Taylor header round the post.
James-Taylor then came so close to a second, on 55 minutes, with a cheeky chip wide out on the right which sailed over the stranded Willis but clipped the right post and bounced to safety.
National League North Alfreton, who had become a real threat towards the end of the first half, became a growing menace after the break.
But, in a very competitive game of 10 bookings, including one for Alfreton boss Billy Heath, visiting skipper Shaun Brisley's low shot, which took a big deflection and span up over the bar, was as close as they came.
Walsall head coach Mat Sadler told BBC Radio WM:
"I enjoyed it from lots and lots of perspectives. But especially from a team perspective.
"Those are the sort of games you really like to win when you know every player has had to contribute to get you a result.
"The work that they have had to put in to help us win the game against a very tough Alfreton team gives you a good feeling.
"And I was delighted that it was Jamille Matt who got the goal as it topped off a very good performance from him and will do him the world of good."
Alfreton Town boss Billy Heath told BBC Radio Derby:
"The early goal really knocked the stuffing out of us. And even that was a bit lucky. It was just a deflection that fell kindly for them.
"But, in the second half, I actually thought we were the better team.
"We gave them a real game at our place last week. We've had two really good games between two really honest teams. And I'm so proud of my players."