Walsall were on the end of a cup shock, being held 2-2 by National League North side Darlington yesterday.
The Saddlers have not had the start they expected in League Two, but a home time against a side two divisions below them should have offered them a chance to get a morale-boosting win. Instead, Daryl Clarke’s side were held in dramatic circumstances in a game that can only be described as a ‘typical cup tie’.
Darlington are in the bottom half of their division but put in a spirited and committed display against a side who were in League One last season. Omar Holness gave them an early lead, something they defended doggedly and when Dan Scarr was sent off for the hosts with eight minutes left on the clock, it looked like a shock would be on the cards.
Walsall had fight left in them though and levelled through Caolan Lavery, who poked home from close range. Agonisingly for the non-league outfit, the Saddlers went in front in the last minute of normal time when Darlington keeper Liam Connell punched into his own net.
It seemed as though the dream was over when Ben Headley was sent off in the last minute of normal time, but the visitors had one last chance to impress. Osagi Bascome whipped over a late free-kick and Joe Wheatley gave them the chance of a replay by stabbing the ball home.
Walsall fans were not happy at the result, with a raft of supporters taking to Twitter to fire angry messages towards manager Clarke and some of his summer signings as well. Is he on borrowed time? some of these fans feel he might be.
https://twitter.com/LufcPaul/status/1193244028558557186
https://twitter.com/butterzwfc/status/1193249723802669056
https://twitter.com/xdave200164x/status/1193249878803132418
https://twitter.com/Hathway84/status/1193249571306119171
https://twitter.com/BlazingSaddleDS/status/1193465617023688704
https://twitter.com/Markodarlo/status/1193335294541611009
https://twitter.com/WilliamsStuartj/status/1193269594288472064
