Wednesday 23 November 2011.

Walsall 3 Exeter City 2 (AET)

Exeter City bowed out of the FA Cup on Wednesday night after suffering a disappointing extra time defeat at the hands of Walsall.

To say the first half was unforgettable would be something of an understatement but just five minutes in Nicholls almost scored a goal he certainly wouldn't forget. The Walsall striker cutting inside and driving a ferocious 25 yard drive towards Krysiak's goal which smashed off the Pole's crossbar.

Richard Logan was then involved in the first real moment of controversy in the match when he, along with his team-mates and the bench, felt he should have had a penalty when Ollie Lancashire appeared to have hauled him down on 32 minutes. He'd done well to get goalside of his marker and on his way to the deck he'd managed to get a low shot away which failed to trouble Jimmy Walker. Tisdale was remonstrating and the away fans were certainly up in arms.

But the next time Logan was involved inside the box he was firing the Grecians infront on 42 minutes when he hooked a close range volley into the net after Coles had headed Liam Sercombe's free-kick into his path. It was the striker's first of a frustrating season to date and he ran to the bench to celebrate with Callum McNish.

On 64 minutes Andy Butler knocked a corner into the path of Macken and the former Man City man pocked home on the line for 1-1.

Having held a 1-0 lead and been rather comfortable the Grecians found themselves 2-1 down on 69 minutes. City failed to clear their lines and a low cross was sent into the path of Nicholls who arrowed a right footed shot into the top corner with Krysiak just a mere spectator.

Elliott Frear had looked lively at Yeovil on the weekend and the City youth product had almost an immediate impact this evening after being introduced from the bench. He led a counter-attack down the left-hand side before swapping passes with Dunne. And after the former Arsenal man gave him the ball back Frear got a low left foot shot away that deflected into the corner. The delighted young winger celebrated his first senior goal infront of the away support. With their tails now well and truly up City pushed for a winner and Dunne was denied by a fine stop from Walker as he looked to curl a right-footed shot into the far corner. The game had sprung into life and the match was flying from end to end with Frear firing an optimistic shot over the bar and Lancashire's fine header being kept out by a stunning stop from Artur. The last chance of the 90 fell to Frear deep into stoppage time but his lashed left-footed shot found the side netting of Walker's goal.

O'Flynn headed at the former West Ham keeper in the early exchanges of extra time before the home side dealt the killer blow. A through bail from midfield was perfectly placed between Artur and the City back four which allowed Bowerman to run clear and get to the ball just split seconds before the Pole. He rounded him and then had the simple task of firing the ball into the unguarded goal for 3-2.

The second half of extra time was even more fragmented and bitty with Walsall happy to learn from the mistakes of St James Park and play out the dying minutes while the young Grecians City struggled to create any real chances.

Walsall will now face a trip to Dagenham in round two.

BBC Match Summary and Information 

Walsall will travel to Dagenham in the second round of the FA Cup following an extra-time victory over Exeter City. Richard Logan hooked the ball into the roof of the net as Exeter went ahead. Walsall turned the game around with two goals in five minutes, Jon Macken's header was followed by Alex Nicholls firing into the top corner. Exeter hit back through Elliott Frear's deflected shot, before 20-year-old substitute George Bowerman rounded Artur Krysiak in extra-time.

Referee Dean Mohareb

Attendance  2089 with 311 City fans.

FA Cup 1st round reply. Full-time 2-2. After Extra Time Walsall win 3-2.