Walsall were denied a point at the Britannia Stadium after an 89th minute ‘equaliser’ was controversially disallowed for offside. Debutant Gary Wales met Zigor Aranalde’s left wing cross with a powerful header which was saved by keeper Neil Cutler. The ball looked set to trickle over the line but was given a helping hand by Jorge Leitao and the linesman’s flag was promptly raised.
With four first-team players suspended, Matt Carbon made his first start of the season and Kris Taylor was brought in for a debut in midfield. New signing Wales started on the bench.
Stoke took the lead after only nine minutes through Darel Russell. Gifton Noel-Williams ran at the away defence before laying the ball off to Russell, whose 25 yard drive was helped into the net by Aussie keeper Andy Petterson.
Four minutes later Walsall were level through Leitao; Taylor won the ball and gave it to Merson who exchanged passes with the returning Samways before crossing for Leitao to head home.
City regained the lead after 37 minutes when Kris Commons set us Carl Asaba who swept the ball past Petterson. Again the Saddlers equalised almost immediately as Gary Birch’s left wing cross was fired home by the impressive Taylor (42).
Eleven minutes into the second half, Stoke grabbed the winner – Asaba netting his second of the match.