THE SADDLERS' second-string slipped to a last-minute defeat against West Bromwich Albion in a seven-goal thriller at The Hawthorns.

It was Walsall who took the lead through an early goal from Troy Deeney, but Albion got back on level terms and then edged in front before the half-hour mark.

Their lead didn't last long, though, as Alex Nicholls fired home to make it 2-2 at the break.

The second period began brightly for The Saddlers but we were hit on the break by the home side who regained the lead.

With time running out and both Deeney and Stefan Moore having missed good chances, Ishmel Demontagnac levelled matters.

The closing stages saw Ricky Nicholls lift the ball over the advancing Rene Gilmartin to nick it for Albion as he bagged his second goal of the evening.

WALSALL: Gilmartin, Bradley, Sansara, C. Davies, Brown, T. Schwarz, Nicholls, Deeney, Moore, McDermott, Demontagnac. Subs not used: Harris, Hanna, Westlake, Jones, Cox.