Bonham blasts home the winner after his crucial penalty save set up Stoke's Carabao Cup success

JACK Bonham was the penalty shootout hero as Stoke City eventually saw off Walsall in the Carabao Cup first round.

- Peter Smith

In a game of few big chances, Jamie Donley came closest to breaking the deadlock when he hit the crossbar with a well-taken effort from 20 yards in the second half.

Josh Gordon had the best chance for Walsall when he hit the side netting in the first half until Jonny Stuttle forced a save from Jack Bonham in injury-time.

Instead it was settled by spot-kicks in front of the Boothen End. Stuttle skied one for Walsall and Divin Mubama had one excellently saved to mean the scores were tied going into the fifth round.

Bonham pulled off a super stop to deny Albert Adomah and then stepped up himself to hammer in the winner.

Robins had made nine changes to the starting XI from the 3-1 win over Derby, with only Million Manhoef and Bosun Lawal staying in.

Manhoef's main talking point from Saturday had been his reaction to being substituted while Lawal shifted into central midfield after spending preseason and the opening day at centre-back.