Walsall boss Mat Sadler says Jamie Jellis has the “Midas touch” after he scored late on to secure a 2-1 FA Cup first-round win over Bolton.
After falling behind to Josh Sheehan’s 55th-minute free-kick, the Saddlers hit back quickly with former Trotters defender Liam Gordon powering home an equaliser just before the hour mark.
Walsall swarmed over their League One opponents in the last half hour, Luke Southwood making saves from Taylor Allen and Connor Barrett, and Jellis shaving the post with another curling shot.
The decisive strike came a few seconds into added time as Nathan Lowe brought down a long ball and Jellis produced a fine finish.
“Jamie was class and if you keep getting chances, like he is, it is no coincidence,” said Sadler.
“He looked at me in a certain way after the game which has earned him a day off, he’s got the Midas touch.
“I am super proud of him, I’m super proud of the lot of them really. We have had some illnesses and we had to patch a few of them up, but this really was a great performance against a very, very good team.”
Bolton were second best for much of the game but did carve out a few chances early on, hitting the woodwork through George Johnston.
Bolton manager Ian Evatt said: “No complaints from me. Second half they made it difficult but we should have been out of sight. On Tuesday at Stevenage we took our chances, but here we didn’t.
“They are a team going well, have a distinctive way of playing, direct and lots of forward runners but we didn’t do the basics right.
“It is frustrating and disappointing but the most important thing for me is that we didn’t pick up any more injuries because we simply can’t afford any more at the moment.”
