Keeper Kean the hero for Dale

Jake Kean saved two spot-kicks as Rochdale advanced into the JPT third round after beating Walsall 3-1 on penalties.

The contest ended 1-1 after 90 minutes and the hosts proved superior from the spot, converting three kicks while the Saddlers' Richard Taundry and Kevan Hurst saw their attempts saved and Ryan Jarvis blazed over the bar. After a first half of limited chances, Rochdale took the lead four minutes after the interval when Jason Kennedy's effort was charged down and David Ball reacted quickly, miscuing a shot which flew into the top corner of the net. Ball had a great chance to double his tally when he raced clear from halfway following a mistake by Andy Butler only to scuff his effort harmlessly wide. The hosts were made to pay for that wasted opportunity as Walsall levelled on 66 minutes. Kevan Hurst got ahead of his marker to meet David Martin's cross and sweep the ball home from eight yards. Kean kept out Martin's powerful shot while Alex Nicholls was unable to find a finish to match his superb weaving run through the Rochdale ranks as Walsall stepped up a gear. But the home side finished strongly with Ball and Nicky Adams going close - in the end Kean's heroics proved decisive.