Hemmings shines for Saddlers
Summer signing Ashley Hemmings scored on his debut to send Walsall into the second round of the Capital One Cup with a 1-0 win at home to 10-man Brentford.
The former Wolves winger took his chance superbly with a fierce eighth-minute left-foot drive after Bees skipper Kevin O'Connor had done well to block a shot from Will Grigg.
Brentford had started brightly with Harry Forrester and O'Connor going close, but their hopes faded in the 25th minute when Jake Reeves was sent off for a crunching tackle on Adam Chambers, who needed lengthy attention before he could continue.
Before half-time Brentford goalkeeper Simon Moore did well to keep out efforts from Florent Cuvelier and Grigg and the 10 men battled bravely for an equaliser in the second half.
Walsall goalkeeper David Grof made a superb save, tipping over Forrester's rising drive in the 47th minute.
Substitute Toumani Diagouraga almost equalised with a dipping volley following good work by the impressive Clayton Donaldson, but Walsall held on.