Walsall book their place in FA Cup second round with win at Eastleigh

League Two leaders Walsall booked their place in the FA Cup second round with a 3-0 win over National League Eastleigh.

Evan Weir opened the scoring inside the opening 10 minutes, before playing in Daniel Kanu to double the lead after half-time.

Substitute Jamille Matt put the tie out of reach of the Hampshire side with 11 minutes remaining.

High-flying Walsall wasted no time in getting their noses in front as Weir bundled in Courtney Clarke’s corner from a matter of inches.

Eastleigh looked most threatening through Harvey Saunders, who forced Saddlers’ goalkeeper Myles Roberts into a smart save to his left.

The winger went close again shortly after when he saw his effort to lob Roberts bounce wide.

The Saddlers, who had lost their previous two games, doubled their lead shortly after the break when Weir played in Kanu to power home a left-footed finish.

Aaron Pressley could have put the tie to bed for the visitors with 20 minutes remaining but he curled his effort beyond the far post.

Saunders continued to cause problems for the home side and Roberts thwarted the 28-year-old once again when he repelled his low strike.

However, Walsall finally put the tie to bed seconds later when Matt raced through on goal before slotting beyond Spitfires goalkeeper Nick Townsend into the corner.