Walsall started tonight quite brightly, not giving Exeter an opening in the early stages. The Saddlers went close in the first half with a dipping Alex Nicholls drive crashing off the bar.
A couple of fruitless efforts from either side, entertained an otherwise dull first half until the 41st minute when an Exeter free kick was hooked in by Richard Logan.
HALF TIME: Walsall 0 Exeter City 1
Second half started pretty devoid of chances, until Jon Macken turned in a Taundry corner helped on by Lancashire to make it 1-1.
Grigg was replaced by Bowerman, before four minutes later the youngster set up Nicholls to hammer in from 15 yards.
The hard working Macken was replaced by Jarvis.
As Walsall celebrated prematurely Exeter began to build and on the 77th minute a deflected ball saw Exeter man Frear turn in an equaliser.
An Olly Lancashire header was well saved, before the full time whistle blew to end the game and leave extra time beckoning.
FULL TIME: Walsall 2 Exeter City 2 - On To Extra Time.
Extra time began with neither side gaining a big advantage until 98th minute when that lad George Bowerman rounded the Exeter keeper and slotted home from a tight angle to send the home supporters mental.
Walsall not only held out for the remainder but actually threatened again at times.
A nail-biting finish saw the Saddlers, progress unbelievably to an FA Cup Second Round tie at Dagenham & Redbridge.
RESULT (After Extra Time): Walsall 3 (Macken 64', Nicholls 69', Bowerman 98') Exeter City 2 (Logan 41', Frear 77') (Attendance: 2,089)
A much improved performance that saw us finally grind a good result but this needs to be carried on in the league.
By: Lee Hale