TEN-MAN Walsall bowed out of the Carling Cup at the first hurdle with a last-gasp 2-1 defeat at a wet Accrington Stanley.
The offside flag came to The Saddlers' rescue in the fifth minute when a cross from the right saw Billy Kee find space in the middle.
The opening goal arrived in the ninth minute when a free-kick from Jamie Vincent found Alex Nicholls who applied a neat finish to leave Alan Martin in the home goal rooted to the spot.
Nicholls went close to doubling the advantage soon afterwards but this time he drilled a low effort wide.
On the quarter-hour mark, Dwayne Mattis did well to block from Paul Mullin, whilst at the other end, Nicholls won a free-kick in a dangerous position that Rhys Weston fired into the defensive wall.
There was a booking for Weston on 23 minutes for a foul out wide and soon afterwards, Mullin flashed an effort wide.
An in-swinging corner from Richard Taundry caused problems for the 'keeper who managed to get a fist on the ball under pressure.
Ten minutes before the break, Walsall were reduced to ten men as Weston received his second yellow card for a late challenge on Phil Edwards.
The half ended with Joyce going close with a deft header for Accrington as the home side looked to make their extra man advantage count.
The second period started with Rene Gilmartin doing well to deny both Andrew Procter and Joyce but as The Saddlers failed to clear the loose ball, Bobby Grant was on hand to fire home sweetly.
With Troy Deeney on for Steve Jones, Sam Parkin made room for an effort that he dipped just over.
A free-kick for a handball saw Matt Richards denied by Martin who saved low to his left.
On 71 minutes Gilmartin beat away an effort from Jimmy Ryan, but there was a real let-off with eight minutes to go when substitute, Sean McConville saw his strike from outside the area hit the post and rebound to safety.
There was still time for Accrington to snatch it in the final minute when McConville's inviting cross from the left picked out the experienced Mullin who guided the ball home.
PHOTOS: Kevin Grice
