Walsall 1 Darlington 2

DARLINGTON stunned their League One opponents by fighting back from a goal behind to seal their place in the second round of the Carling Cup.

In recent years Quakers have caused upsets at Nottingham Forest, Stoke, Bradford and now Walsall - their first win at the Saddlers since 1922.

Though it came amid controversy.

Michael Ricketts was sent off for violent conduct, having earlier scored, and after Billy Clarke’s second half winner a home supporter complained to officials that a plastic bottle had been thrown into the crowd.

Whether any action is taken against Quakers remains to be seen, but all manager Dave Penney will be concerned about an unexpected but deserved victory.

Darlington played the better football throughout and once Clarke struck midway through the second half there was only going to be one winner.

Quakers started the better team too. After only 36 seconds Adam Proudlock saw a shot tipped wide. Soon after keeper Clayton Ince dived fulllength to keep out a low Adam Griffin drive and from the loose ball Proudlock’s shot was cleared off the line by Anthony Gerrard.

Despite the bright opening Quakers fell behind to a goal that will have angered Penney.

He was frustrated that his side conceded at a set-piece against Exeter on Saturday, and they did it again last night with former Middlesbrough striker Ricketts scoring.

After Rob Purdie, playing left-back in place of the shoulder injury victim Clayton Fortune, had fouled Alex Nicholls, Sofiene Zaaboub’s free-kick went to the far post where Ricketts climbed above Jason Kennedy to firmly head home.

What would also have annoyed Penney was that keeper Simon Brown did not attempt to catch the cross before Ricketts scored.

But when the ball fell to the former England international in space near the penalty spot soon after he showed the lack of goal instinct that became familiar to Middlesbrough fans by managing to blast well over despite having all the target to aim at.

Another let off for Quakers came after a corner when Stephen Hughes prodded a deflected effort towards goal but it rolled against the post and out of play.

With Walsall relying on long balls to muscular front men Ricketts and Jabo Ibehre, Darlington continued to play good football and deservedly equalised on 31 minutes with a fine move finished off by Kennedy.

David Poole raced past leftback Netan Sansara and crossed for Griffin to pull the ball back for Kennedy who expertly placed the ball beyond Ince the edge of the area to make it level.

But Quakers soon had the advantage in terms of numbers as referee Darren Drysdale showed a straight red to Rickets for elbowing Ricky Ravenhill in an off the ball incident.

The decision stunned most of the crowd, especially the home fans, but Ravenhill had to change shirts due to blood being on his kit.

He emerged for the second period in a numberless shirt, but last only 14 minutes before limping off and being replaced by Robin Hulbert as Darlington sought to take advantage of the extra man,.

But it was Walsall who had the period’s first chance.

Zaaboub saw a powerful effort from an angle charged down by Brown, but Darlington always looked the more likely to score. The winner came on 67 minutes with Billy Clarke firing home after good work by Poole.

His cross allowed gave Clarke a shooting chance that was blocked by Manny Smith, but Clarke swept home the rebound from 16 yards to put Darlington in the driving seat with 23 minutes to play.

Aside from one or two moments of alarm, most notably a Gerrard effort lashed off target in injury time, there appeared little chance of Darlington losing their lead meaning they recorded first win at Walsall in their last 20 attempts.

■ Walsall last night reported the alleged bottle throwing incident to police, while referee Darren Drysdale will include the incident in his report to the Football Association.