Several young Saddlers made their returns to competitive action in the Development Squad's latest Central Reserve League Cup game against Doncaster Rovers.
The likes of Mitch Candlin, Sam Tonks and Tobias Hayles-Docherty returned to the starting XI at Birmingham County FA following spells on the sidelines, but could not prevent Walsall falling to a 4-0 defeat.
The young Saddlers found Doncaster's system a challenge, with their players interchanging neatly and causing problems.
Liam Mandeville opened the scoring for Rovers after 18 minutes, with James Morris adding a brace just before the break to put Doncaster in control at half-time.
Jacob Fletcher made it 4-0 early in the second half, despite a positive response all round from The Saddlers with a tactical change leading to an improved performance but unfortunately not the goals needed to close the deficit.
Ben Kendrick, half-time substitute Joe Cairns and the returning Candlin all came close with chances but The Saddlers were unable to take their opportunities when they arose.
SADDLERS: Roberts, Tonks, Fisher, Butterfield, Leivesley, Kendrick, Shorrock, Sangha, Candlin, Peters (Cairns 59), Hayles-Docherty. Subs: Dawe, Mason, Brown, Massamba.