Walsall’s FA Cup run is already over after an eventful clash with Millwall at the New Den. Jorge Leitao had given the Saddlers a twelfth minute lead against their first division rivals, pouncing on a slip by Lions’ defender David Livermore to fire past Tony Warner from six yards. It was the Portuguese striker’s fiftieth goal for the club and his third in four games. Dennis Wise’s men pulled level against Merson-less Walsall after 33 minutes however, when youngster Kevin Braniff latched onto Neil Harris’s pass to fire past Jimmy Walker from fifteen yards. Then on the stroke of half time, Tim Cahill snatched what proved to be the goal that sent the Londoners into the fourth round of the competition. He climbed – literally – above full back Darren Bazeley to head home Wise’s right wing cross, much to the annoyance of Colin Lee’s players.
Millwall dominated the second half and hopes of a fight back were dashed after seventy minutes when Leitao was sent off for two bookable offences in quick succession. It came as no surprise that the fouls were on Kevin Muscat and Wise – no strangers to trouble themselves. Far more concerning was the loss of keeper Jimmy Walker in stoppage time; the Saddlers’ acting skipper raced into the Millwall half to remonstrate with the referee after an injury to striker Gary Birch. However when Wise became involved, Wacker raised his arms to push away the home manager and was promptly dismissed. Neil Emblen donned the goalkeeper’s top – albeit without the gloves – for the final minute or so and Lee will hope that goalkeeper Shaun Allaway’s back injury is fully cured ahead of Walker’s pending suspension. Walsall are no strangers when it comes to trouble at MIllwall – defender Paul Ritchie was dismissed last time around, also a 2-1 defeat.
There was better news elsewhere for Walsall fans as Matty Fryatt grabbed his first professional goal for Carlisle against Boston and Craig Stanley netted for Raith Rovers. However, former Saddler Tony Barras was dismissed for Notts County against Middlesbrough – a match also involving Michael Ricketts and Clive Platt.