Walsall beat Bolton to reach FA Cup second round

Jamie Jellis handed League Two side Walsall a deserved FA Cup scalp as they humbled four-time winners Bolton 2-1 at the Poundland Bescot Stadium.

After falling behind to Josh Sheehan’s 55th-minute free-kick, the Saddlers hit back quickly with former Trotters defender Liam Gordon powering home an equaliser just before the hour mark, following a deep free-kick from keeper Tommy Simkin.

The Saddlers swarmed over their League One opponents in the last half hour, Luke Southwood making saves from Taylor Allen and Connor Barrett, and Jellis shaving the post with another curling shot.

The decisive strike came a few seconds into added time as Nathan Lowe brought down Simkin’s long ball and Jellis produced a fine finish.

Bolton were second best for much of the game but did carve out a few chances early on, hitting the woodwork through George Johnston.

Dion Charles had one standout chance, after being played clean through by Klaidi Lolos, but was thwarted by a superb one-handed stop by Simkin.

Johnston also cleared a header from Albert Adomah off the line as Walsall reached the second round for the fourth year in succession.