Jones strike prevents upset

Steve Jones spared Walsall blushes as they avoided an FA Cup upset with a 1-0 win against Midlands neighbours Stourbridge.

The ex-Burnley front man netted the only goal of the game in the 34th minute to break the Glassboys early stubborn resistance.

Striker Darren Byfield thought he had doubled the Saddlers' lead midway through the second half but his effort was ruled out for offside.

Southern Premier League Stourbridge - who are four leagues below their League One opponents in the football pyramid - started well and tricky winger Sean Evans wasted an early chance.

Walsall soon got into their stride with skipper Rhys Weston and Jones firing wide of the mark.

And Jones made no mistake soon after, latching onto Troy Deeney's flick-on and launched a stunning piledriver past keeper Stuart Brock.

It was more of the same after the break and were only denied a second by the linesman's flag when Byfield was deemed offside after tapping home Matt Richards' cross.

Byfield was again involved soon after but the ex-Millwall striker could only find the side netting.

Stourbridge-born Alex Nicholls - on a substitute for Walsall - hit the bar before a late flurry from the hosts almost saw them equalise. Defender Nathan Bennett headed wide while Evans blasted over the bar.