Walsall progressed to the second round of the Carabao Cup as two second half goals secured victory over Swindon Town at the Poundland Bescot Stadium.
Substitute Danny Johnson fired in a penalty with 11 minutes to go before Timmy Abraham ensured safe passage for the Saddlers two minutes later.
Michael Flynn made six changes to the team that started against Newport County on Saturday.
Flynn Clarke made his first appearance for the Saddlers while Tom Knowles, Douglas James-Taylor, Abraham and Liam Bennett made their first starts for the Saddlers.
The first chance of the evening fell to the visitors and to a former Walsall player in Tyrese Shade who was played in by Jonny Williams and fizzed in a powerful shot but Owen Evans did well to parry it behind.
The Saddlers had the ball in the net after 17 minutes when James-Taylor flicked it through to Abraham who arrowed the ball into the bottom corner but the assistant referee’s flag was up for offside.
Abraham had another opportunity eight minutes later when Knowles threaded the ball through to the striker who shrugged off the challenge of a defender and got a shot off but he dragged it wide.
Walsall ended the half strongly and fashioned another good chance three minutes before the break after some good work by Bennett down the left who beat his man and delivered a fine cross that was met by James-Taylor but the forward’s header fizzed over the bar and that proved to be the last chance of the first 45 minutes.
The Saddlers began the second half in a different formation with Bennett moving from left-back into a right wing-back role, Hayden White slotting in as a third centre-back and Knowles moving over to left wing-back.
Flynn was forced into making a substitution just six minutes into the half as White picked up an injury and was unable to continue. He was replaced by Brandon Comley.
Walsall continued to push for the opener and Earing had a couple of chances. His first was a powerful effort that sailed over the bar before his low strike was blocked on the line inadvertently by Abraham.
Knowles also carved out a good opportunity for himself as he burst forward with pace before he rifled in a low shot that just missed the target.
The home side’s pressure finally paid off as they were awarded a penalty with 11 minutes to go. Substitute Ronan Maher was bundled over in the area when through on goal and despite not initially awarding the spot kick, the referee discussed it with his assistant and eventually gave the penalty and sent off Harrison Minturn for the challenge.
Johnson, who had came off the bench earlier in the half, stepped up and thumped the ball into the net from the spot.
The Saddlers had their tails up and took the game away from the Robins two minutes later when Johnson’s shot was saved and Abraham was there to tap in the rebound. There were certainly no doubts about whether this one was his goal.
Despite having to contend with eight minutes of stoppage time, Walsall managed the game superbly in the closing stages and deservedly progressed to the second round with a third consecutive win and third clean sheet on the spin.
Evans; White (Comley 51’), Daniels, Monthé, Bennett, Hutchinson, Earing, F. Clarke (Maher 70’), Knowles, Abraham, James-Taylor (Johnson 60’).
Subs: Przybek (GK), Kinsella, Williams, P. Clarke
Attendance: 2889