THE SADDLERS came from behind to make it into the next round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy at Cheltenham Town.

The home side took the lead with their first attack in the third minute when some poor defending by Walsall saw Stuart Fleetwood make progress inside the area before picking out Josh Low who fired home from close range.

With ten minutes on the clock, the ball was flashed across the face of the Cheltenham goal where Michael Ricketts managed to get a touch only for his effort to be deflected wide.

The next attack saw Richard Taundry feed Chris Palmer who set up Stephen Hughes for a shooting chance that was hit straight at Scott Brown in the home goal. Shortly afterwards, Taundry's cross was met by the head of Ricketts who forced Brown into a good save.

The Saddlers switched the play well on 24 minutes as Alex Nicholls put in an inviting cross from the left that was met by Jabo Ibehre who was just off target.

It was Jimmy Mullen's side who were on top as the first half progressed and Ricketts looked to tee up Taundry who took a knock as he prepared to shoot.

As the interval approached, Dwayne Mattis latched onto a loose ball in the midfield to set up Ibehre who was denied by another smart stop from Brown.

A couple of early half-chances for Cheltenham greeted the start of the second period as the Walsall back-line held firm.

There was a scare on 55 minutes when Rene Gilmartin, who was making his first appearance of the season in goal, came a long way out to deal with a long throw-in and as he failed to punch clear, Paul Boertien was on hand to clear off the line.

Moments later Ashlet Vincent hit a low drive wide for The Robins before The Saddlers got back on level terms on the hour-mark when Taundry's pinpoint cross was met by the head of Ibehre who directed the ball home.

After Ricketts was booked for a late challenge there was a change as Ishmel Demontagnac replaced Nicholls.

A timely challenge by Anthony Gerrard denied the home side as they looked to break through the middle before Ricketts did well at the other end to deliver a ball into Ibehre in front of goal but he was crowded out as he looked to convert from close range.

A foul on Demontagnac out wide on the left on 73 minutes gave Walsall a free-kick in a promising position that Palmer whipped into the far post where Ricketts was on hand to head home from close range.

With time running out, Ben Gill put a low shot just wide from distance as the home side looked to force penalties.

Two further substitutions saw Troy Deeney replace skipper Hughes whilst Marco Reich came on for Ibehre.

The closing stages saw Deeney fire straight at Brown whilst at the other end, Andy Lindegaard was inches away from finding the net from close range with virtually the last kick of the tie.