Mathieu Manset secured Walsall a safe passage into the third round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy after a 1-0 win at Rochdale.

Ian Henderson crashed a 25-yard free-kick against the crossbar and just as the home side appeared to be taking charge of the contest midway through the first half, Walsall broke upfield and scored. Former Rochdale striker Ashley Grimes was the architect of the 23rd-minute goal, seizing on a loose ball and splitting the Dale defence with a smart pass for Manset who slipped a neat finish under goalkeeper Conrad Logan for his first goal for the Saddlers. Grimes proved a source of frustration for home supporters at the other end of the field when he cleared Matt Done's goalbound header off the line to ensure the Saddlers - who lost 4-0 in last month's League One meeting at Spotland - reached the break a goal up. Rochdale had plenty of possession after the break but found Walsall hard to break down. Peter Vincenti managed to wriggle free of the Saddlers backlne but his low drive was saved by Richard O'Donnell and the goalkeeper was equal to a Henderson effort in time added on.