Walsall progressed to the second round of the League Cup with a 2-1 win against Southend United at Roots Hall in which youngsters Mal Benning and Kieron Morris scored the goals. There wasn't too much to cheer for both sets of fans until Benning struck from close range for Walsall on 25 minutes from an Andy Taylor cross. Tom Bradshaw also had the ball in the net but an offside flag ruled that one out. There was a shock for Saddlers just before half time when Paul Downing committed a foul on the edge of the box but escaped with just a yellow card.
The start of the second half saw both teams having a couple of shots each before the home side took charge of things for a while. leonard pulled a goal back for the home side with a stunning strike but Walsall made an inspired substitution with Kieron Morris on for Benning and the youngster scored a beauty on 86 minutes to send Saddlers into round two with a home tie against Premiership side Crystal Palace.
