Stats and facts from the game
United manager Greg Abbott made three changes to his starting line up with Brad Potts, Mike Edwards and Kallum Higginbotham coming in for Frank Simek, Peter Murphy and JP McGovern.
And his team responded with an excellent display as they came out with three points courtesy of a last-gasp winner in an end-to-end encounter which had chances for both sides to take the points.
“I thought it was a great game to watch," Abbott said. "It was two teams going for it and we showed a lot of spirit and determination. It’s a difficult place to come and we are very pleased with what we’ve done."
Walsall started brightly and Dean Holden went close with a downward header as he found space at the back post for a corner.
United were in determined mood though and Chris Chantler connected well with a long range effort which felw just over the bar following a good spell of pressure.
Joe Garner nodded wide as he tried to out-muscle Butler and Higginbotham was frustrated when his first-time volley bounced back off a defender as it angled towards the target.
The Saddlers regained their shape and Cuvelier did well when he beat two and came inside. His shot was a good one but Gillespie had it covered.
The home side took the lead from nowhere when Baxendale pushed the ball past Chantler and sent it into the area. Cuvelier helped it on and a Griggs dummy allowed Paterson the time and space to pick his spot.
The response from the visitors was encouraging and Matt Robson went on the overlap as he raced into the box. Darlow had to parry it and he scrambled across to gather the loose ball before Garner could pounce.
Good work on the right involving Higginbotham and Potts brought a cross which Cadamarteri stretched to meet. Butler moved quickly to deflect it behind.
The Saddlers almost extended their lead when a slick passing move left Bowerman alone in the box. Gillespie completed a fine save as the shot bent towards the bottom corner.
Robson dragged a shot wide on the overlap when he burst into the box and the look on his face suggested that he he felt he should have done better.
It was another good spell for the visitors and they capitalised just before the half hour when Higginbotham recovered a flicked header from Cadamarteri. His cross was fierce and Garner opened his account for the club with a powerful header from very close range.
United finished the half on top and a wickedly deflected Cadamarteri shot had Darlow wrong-footed and he was relieved to see the ball spin away past his post. And the keeper kept his side on level terms when he spread himself to block another thundering header from Garner as Cadamarteri bent the ball into the six-yard box.
The second half was nip and tuck and an early Bowerman shot rose at the vital moment to shave the woodwork on its way into the stands.
Darlow was in action at the other end when he dropped low to smother a crisp shot from Robson as he cut inside from wide.
A chest down from Cadamarteri from an accurate Edwards pass gave Garner the chance to volley from just outside the area but it lacked direction and bent wide of the post.
Robson had his marker for pace yet again as Carlisle continued to get forward in numbers but Darlow stayed tight and blocked a volley with his feet.
Walsall closed ranks but the Cumbrians kept knocking on the door as shots from Garner, Robson and Berrett rained in on Darlow.
And just as it appeared the home side had done enough substitute Liam Noble popped up to steal the points with a calm finish when a ball into the area was left by Garner. The midfielder outfoxed the keeper before setting off on wild celebrations when the ball hit the back of the net.
"My mates have been getting at me because my celebrations have been boring in the past," Noble said. "I didn't really know what I was doing and I have no idea why the shirt came off, but it was just great to be able to help the team to get the win."
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Goals
Walsall - Paterson (18)
United - Garner (29), Noble (90)
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Bookings
Walsall - Cuvelier (16), Baxendale (39), A Taylor (65), Butler (90)
United - Thirlwell (39), Garner (90), Noble (90)
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Teams
Walsall - Darlow, Butler, Holden, Featherstone, Cuvelier, Grigg, Paterson, Purkiss (Taundry 46), Bowerman (Brandy 74), Baxendale (Hemmings 59), A Taylor. Subs - C Taylor, Jones, Downing, Grof.
Carlisle United - Gillespie, Potts, Edwards (Murphy 74), Livesey, Chantler, Higginbotham (Symington 85), Thirlwell, Berrett, Robson, Garner, Cadamarteri (Noble 74). Subs - Collin, Simek, Welsh, Beck.
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Referee - Mr Carl Boyeson
Attendance - 3,964 (358 away fans)
