Bristol City 0-1 Walsall: Saddlers upset Robins as Aaron Pressley seals Carabao Cup progress

Lee Grant praised the resilience of his Walsall side after launching his time as head coach with a shock Carabao Cup first-round success over Championship Bristol City.

The League Two side, who fielded seven debutants, secured victory at Ashton Gate through Aaron Pressley’s 47th-minute strike.

His close-range finish from Reece Smith’s low cross, and some hugely committed defending, particularly in the closing stages, earned the Saddlers a second-round place in the competition.

Thursday night’s action kicked off the opening round of the cup, with three more ties on Friday night before a packed Saturday schedule and two further fixtures on Sunday and Monday.

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Outstanding

After the game, Grant said: “I told the lads before the game that it was our first as a group and we needed to show people what we were all about.

“They did just that. We needed strong performances from each player against a very good team two divisions above us and a good display from our goalkeeper, which we got.

“I am not thinking ahead to the league programme just yet, but clearly there were encouraging signs.

“The collective effort was outstanding.”

Match action

Walsall took the lead at the start of the second half when Smith crossed low from the left and Pressley netted with a right-footed shot from eight yards.

The visitors would have led at the interval but for Sam Tickle’s remarkable series of saves on 32 minutes.

City’s new goalkeeper dived to parry a firm header from Pressley and then twice regained his feet to keep out follow-up efforts from Isaac Moore and Courtney Clarke.

At the other end, Jed Ward saved from Jed Wallace and Lorent Tolaj, while Cam Pring was a regular threat on the left flank.

Ward distinguished himself again in the second half to ensure a losing start for new City boss Michael Skubala, who cut a frustrated figure on the touchline.

Frustrating

The Robins, themselves with five debutants in the starting line-up, were unable to capitalise on plenty of pressure and a succession of late corners, making it a frustrating start for Skubala.

He said: “It was very frustrating. We created a lot of chances, but lacked enough quality and desire to get on the end of things in the final third.

“There were good things. When we went a goal down we started to move the ball quickly through the lines.

“I hadn’t seen Yu Hirakawa play a game in pre-season and he did really well when he came on. But overall it was disappointing.”

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