Worthington Cup holders Blackburn were given a real fright before scraping through on penalties.

Walsall hit back from a Corrado Grabbi opener with a penalty of their own through Zigor Aranalde and an extra-time strike from David Zdrilic.

But an own goal from Ian Roper ensured penalties and Darren Wrack's miss ultimately proved crucial.

Walsall lived up to Blackburn boss Graeme Souness's pre-match prediction that the holders would be in for a tough clash.

Mahon fluffed a golden chance in the 10th minute, shooting over with only Walker to beat, and that was the signal for Walsall to show their attacking teeth through Steve Corica.

He was again wayward towards the end of the first half but right on the stroke of half time there was relief for the home fans when Aranalde brought down Keith Gillespie.

Referee Neale Barry pointed straight to the spot and Grabbi put the holders in front.

But if the home fans thought they were in for a second-half stroll Walsall had other ideas.

The Walsall fans groaned when manager Colin Lee replaced Junior and Corica with Moreira Herivelto and Zdrilic but it proved an inspired move.

Almost immediately Herivelto was upended by Nils-Eric Johansson and Aranalde hammered in the equaliser from the spot.

Rovers' Jon Douglas headed over in an isolated home raid but with Leitao shooting wide at the other end Walsall continued to hold the upper hand until the end of normal time.

Blackburn: Kelly, Pelzer, Todd, Johansson, Curtis, Gillespie, Dunn, Danns, Mahon, Grabbi, Jansen. Subs: Ostenstad, Douglas, McEveley, Richards, Robinson.

Walsall: Walker, Bazeley, Hay, Roper, Aranalde, Wrack, Sonner, Simpson, Corica, Leitao, Junior. Subs: Herivelto, Zdrilic, Barras, Wright, Ward.

Referee: N Barry (N Lincolnshire).