League Two leaders Walsall booked their place in the FA Cup third round draw after easing past National League strugglers Gateshead.

Goals from on-loan striker Daniel Kanu, who converted from the penalty spot on 25 minutes after Kenton Richardson tripped Ryan Finnigan, and a second-half strike from defender Aden Flint proved enough for Mat Sadler's side.

Gateshead attempted valiantly to play passing football in a match lashed by torrential rain throughout but Alun Armstrong's side ultimately found Walsall's superior quality and squad depth too much to handle.

Both sides have bigger tasks in hand in their respective leagues with Gateshead free to concentrate on fifth-tier survival given they are in the relegation places in 21st place.

Walsall remain a point clear of Swindon at the top of League Two but can nonetheless look forward to a money-spinning third-round tie in January.

After beating AFC Wimbledon in the first round, Gateshead have found the National League a tough place to be with five successive defeats – not the sort of form they needed to go toe-to-toe.

And in difficult conditions for both sides they struggled to get an early foothold in a game where a fast start felt essential if they were to cause a shock.

In contrast, Walsall were quick out of the blocks with Finnigan a constant threat on the right flank, the midfielder teeing up a great chance for Jamille Matt after seven minutes which the veteran failed to convert from close range.

Flint missed another golden chance for the visitors, putting a free header over the bar from a free-kick, but the breakthrough was not long in coming with Finnigan upended by Richardson as he bore down on goal on 24 minutes.

Kanu, who is on loan from Charlton, made no mistake from the spot, scoring his ninth goal in all competitions a minute later.

Three minutes into the second period Flint made amends for his early miss, getting on the end of a free-kick floated in from the left flank after Richardson had fouled Jid Okeke.

There was more than a suspicion of offside about the goal, with the giant defender glancing in from close range after the free-kick was nodded on by a Walsall head but the goal was given.

Kanu and substitute Kemar Roofe both had clear chances to add further to Walsall's haul around the hour mark, both denied by decent stops from Tiernan Brooks in the Gateshead goal.

But with Walsall's defence keeping the National League club at arm's length it was Sadler's changes from a well-stocked bench that ensured the fight slowly ebbed away from the hosts.