THE SADDLERS' Johnstone's Paint Trophy campaign kicked off on a pleasant August evening at Banks's Stadium.

2 Treatment required for Richard Taundry who was victim of a strong early challenge from Scott Griffiths. Thankfully he was okay to resume after the attention of Jon Whitney.

4 A foul on Reuben Reid gave Walsall a free-kick in a promising position which Paul Marshall curled into the danger zone as Reid's effort lacked the power to trouble Tommy Lee in the visitors' goal.

6 Saddlers making a purposeful start and Reuben Reid got in a strike that Tommy Lee spilled but the 'keeper managed to redeem himself as Julian Gray looked to profit from the loose ball.

13 It was Chesterfield who took the lead when a cross to the far post from the right found the head of Jordan Bowery who looped the ball home beyond Jonny Brain to make it 1-0.

15 Some battling play by Reuben Reid saw him pull the ball back to Matt Richards who lined up a low strike that was gathered by Tommy Lee. At the other end, Craig Davies tried his luck from distance only for Jonny Brain to make the save.

18 Saddlers back on level terms when a sweeping move saw Richard Taundry cross into the danger zone from the left and as the ball was only half-cleared as far as Reuben Reid, he lashed home with a powerful strike that gave Tommy Lee absolutely no chance to make it 1-1.

22 An effort from Jack Hunt took a wicked deflection that saw the ball go out for a Chesterfield corner which The Saddlers were alive to as they attempted to play it short.

26 A mazy run by Matt Richards ended with a rather robust challenge from former Saddler, Dwayne Mattis that gave Walsall a free-kick just outside the area. It was Richards himself who stepped up to take, but curled well over.

28 Aaron Lescott's pacy ball into the area saw Dwayne Mattis clear ahead of Reuben Reid as the visitors headed clear the resulting corner kick.

31 There was some good defending from Oliver Lancashire as he got in a block to deny Craig Davies.

32 Within a minute, Dean Morgan beat Darryl Westlake before firing home beyond Jonny Brain to make it 2-1 to The Spireites.

37 A neat move by Walsall ended with Richard Taundry feeding Reuben Reid who dragged a shot wide from just outside the area.

39 Simon Ford caused problems inside the area as Walsall got men back in numbers and as the loose ball fell out to Scott Griffiths, his strike was deflected wide for a corner which came to nothing.

43 A towering header from Derek Niven was cleared from in front of goal by Darryl Westlake. At the other end, Julian Gray did well on the left to cross in search of Richard Taundry whose strike hit Jon Macken before Reuben Reid fired straight at Tommy Lee from the rebound.

Half-time: Walsall 1 Chesterfield 2

46 There was a change at the break as first-year professional, Jamie Paterson replaced Richard Taundry. The early action of the half saw Jon Macken head over following a Julian Gray cross.

57 A curling effort on the turn from distance by Jon Macken landed narrowly wide as Walsall searched for a spark to get them back into the game.

65 Some good battling play by Paul Marshall saw him charge down a clearance and the rebound require Tommy Lee to race from his goal and clear ahead of Jon Macken. Moments later, Drew Talbot attempted to capitalise upon a loose ball, but he was crowded out as he headed goalwards.

70 A loose ball from Julian Gray set Chesterfield on the attack and as Craig Davies got away from Manny Smith, he fired wide of the target.

72 Clayton McDonald replaced Oliver Lancashire.

76 There was a real let-off for The Saddlers as Jonny Brain spilled a stinging effort from Danny Whitaker and Dean Morgan blazed over from close range with the 'keeper floundering. At the other end, Jamie Paterson's low drive was deflected wide as the resulting flag-kick was headed clear at the near post.

81 Some lively play by Jamie Paterson saw him link up with Matt Richards who carved open some space in front of him and hit a shot that beat the 'keeper but came back out off the post. Richards looked to keep the move alive as he latched onto the rebound, but Tommy Lee came out to narrow the angle as his attempted ball back across the face of goal went into the side-netting.

90 Reuben Reid set up Paul Marshall for a shooting chance which he fired wide. Then following a Matt Richards free-kick from deep, Jamie Paterson delivered a high cross into the box which Tommy Lee was grateful to gather to ease the pressure on his side.

The final whistle sounded soon afterwards as The Saddlers exited the Johnstone's Paint Trophy at the first hurdle.

Full-time: Walsall 1 Chesterfield 2

 PHOTOS: David Linney Photography