THE SADDLERS have crashed out on penalties to Swansea City for the second season in succession as we fell at the first hurdle in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy despite a dramatic last-gasp equaliser from the returning Darren Wrack.

The first action came on seven minutes when former Saddler, Andy Oakes punched clear a dangerous corner from Mark Wright.

There was not too much to get excited about in the opening quarter with both teams yet to get into their stride.

With 17 minutes on the clock, Wright tried his luck from distance, but the ball sailed well over the crossbar before a decent chance for The Saddlers came after the visitors failed to clear their lines allowing Daniel Fox to find Hector Sam whose ball back across goal was fired just wide.

At the other end a low drive by Andy Robinson was easily gathered by Clayton Ince.

After Kinsella saw an effort blocked in front of goal by Kevin Amankwaah, Daniel Fox had a header scrambled clear as Walsall looked to up the tempo.

There was a booking for Kinsella on 27 minutes after a foul on Robinson as he looked to make progress towards goal.

The last chance of the half saw a foul on Taylor out wide as Wright curled in a free-kick which Oakes managed to clear under pressure.

The second period started with Fox's cross headed onto the crossbar by Sam as Oakes pushed over the rebound despite heavy pressure from Bedeau.

The crowd were lifted in the 52nd minute with the arrival of Darren Wrack who made his long-awaited first-team comeback in place of Wright.

Ince did well to push over a drive by Darren Pratley whilst at the other end, Sam did well to hold the ball up for Anthony Gerrard, who was playing in a central midfield role, but his attempt lacked power.

There was another change as Ishmel Demontagnac replaced Bedeau as The Saddlers started to up the pressure. Some determined play by Taylor and Kinsella set up a shooting chance for Gerrard which was bravely deflected wide.

With just over 15 minutes to go, Kinsella was replaced by James Constable. Moments later Lee Trundle's trickery won him a free-kick in a dangerous position that was deflected over by the defensive wall.

Four minutes later Trundle managed to break through only for Taylor to do well to force him wide as we managed to get men back to clear the danger.

There was a good save from Ince to deny Robinson as Constable went close at the other end.

The final minute brought a dramatic conclusion as Swansea took the lead when Oakes' free-kick landed in the danger zone where the ball came out to Owain Tudor Jones who fired home with a low strike.

Within a minute Walsall were back on level terms as a shot on the turn from Scott Dann was pushed out for a corner by Oakes and the resulting flag-kick saw Gerrard head goalwards as the ball eventually found its way to Wrack in front of goal who managed to poke the ball home for a fairytale goal on his return.

The new rules in this competition this term meant that it took the game straight into a penalty shoot-out and Kris Taylor stepped up tpo take the first only to see his effort cannon off the crossbar and out. Lee Trundle coolly despatched his spot-kick before James Constable's effort was saved by Andy Oakes.

There was a let-off for The Saddlers as Andy Robinson hit the post before Hector Sam made no mistake. Owain Tudor Jones then found the net as Anthony Gerrard did likewise. Next up was Leon Britton to make it 3-2 ro The Swans before Ishmel Demontagnac stayed calm to keep Richard Money's men in it with our fifth penalty.

However, Swansea's Tom Williams stepped up to convert their fifth kick to make it 4-3 and see them through to the next round. 

PHOTOS: David Linney Photography