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Search forEmpty seats deepen gloom after cup exit
Thursday, November 13, 2008, 08:00
The Saddlers had taken a first half lead courtesy of Michael Ricketts, but a brace from Gary Hooper and a late goal from Kevan Hurst settled matters.
To add insult to injury, Ishmel Demontagnac was shown a straight red card for an off the ball incident only minutes after coming on as a second half substitute.
And all this in front of a crowd of just 2,318 – the lowest attendance for a meaningful game in recent memory.
Manager Jimmy Mullen made only one change to the side from the disappointing 1-0 Johnstone's Paint Trophy defeat to Luton, as Sofiene Zaaboub replaced Paul Boertien on the left.
Scunthorpe started the brighter of the two sides, and could have broken the deadlock early on as Stephen Roberts slipped to allow Paul Hayes through on goal and he squared to Gary Hooper who had his low effort blocked.
The Iron looked the more dangerous side going forward, although Walsall should have gone in front when Ricketts was gifted space to direct a Chris Palmer corner narrowly over the bar from six yards out.
Ricketts wasn't left to rue his miss for long, however, as he made amends by firing Walsall ahead.
The former England man connected to a deflected Anthony Gerrard cross and let fly with a carefully side footed volley over the outstretched reach of despairing goalkeeper Joe Murphy.
Walsall looked as though they would hold their lead until half time but United striker Gary Hooper levelled matters in the 42nd minute.
Hooper – on his return to the side after a foot injury – latched onto a clever Cliff Byrne pass, and slipped the ball beneath Clayton Ince.
Seconds later, Hooper nearly doubled his tally, again racing clear of the static home defence only for a heavy touch to let him down in front of the onrushing Ince.
After the break, Walsall threatened to make his wastefulness pay, as the bustling Ricketts broke away down the right side and arrowed a shot that was tipped away by Murphy.
Eight minutes later, though, Hooper slotted home his second of the game to give Scunthorpe the lead after being played through by the impressive Martyn Woolford for his 11th goal of the season.
The goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of the home side, and Jimmy Mullen tried to liven up proceedings as he introduced substitutes Alex Nicholls and Ishmel Demontagnac to the fray.
But within minutes, disaster struck as Demontagnac was sent off after an off-the-ball altercation with Matt Sparrow.
The enigmatic winger's dismissal left the Saddlers undermanned and, as a result, the expected grandstand finish failed to materialise.
Jabo Ibehre was the only beneficiary of any forward play, but his weak efforts didn't really trouble the Scunthorpe goal.
Deep in stoppage time United substitute Kevan Hurst made a much more positive impact, as he cut inside from the left and curled an impressive effort into the net to seal the victory in style.
Walsall 1
Scunthorpe United 3
(FA Cup First Round)
WALSALL: Ince, Roberts, Gerrard, Hughes (Bradley 45), Palmer, Mattis, Ibehre, Ricketts, Zaaboub (Demontagnac 71), Taundry, Deeney (Nicholls 71). Subs (not used): Weston, Boertien, Gilmartin, Reich.
ATTENDANCE: 2,318.
Dwayne Mattis attempts to shield the ball from Scunthorpe's Grant McCann in Saturday's loss, where the empty seats were a worrying sight. Pictures by Emma Perrins
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