With the 2020/21 League Two campaign set to get underway at the weekend, Walsall manager Darrell Clarke has taken the opportunity to hand debuts to some of his summer signings with Hayden White, George Nurse and Emmanuel Osadebe all making their full debuts on Tuesday evening.
Clarke's Saddlers faced their second cup outing in just four days as they faced Bristol Rovers in the EFL Trophy and, after losing in a penalty shoot-out to Sheffield Wednesday in the Carabao Cup at the weekend, showed plenty of desire to hold their opponents to a draw in normal time.
Along with the trio of debuts the manager also gave recent signing Jack Rose his first start since he returned to the club on a permanent basis last week, whilst fellow former loanee Rory Holden was a second-half substitute.
The match itself saw the Saddlers bounce back from going a goal behind after sixteen minutes of play - Thomas Mayhew netting from distance - to not only level but briefly take the lead as Zak Jules (29') scored just the second goal of his career before Josh Gordon (64') put his side ahead.
Sadly for the Saddlers they were unable to hold onto their lead as Jonah Ayunga (71') sent to the match to a penalty shoot-out where former Southampton stopper Rose made two superb saves to help his new side secure the bonus point.