Cheltenham Town boss Martin Allen is still searching for a first win in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy after his latest attempt to post a victory was thwarted by Walsall last night.

The Cheltenham boss has had little luck in the tournament with former clubs MK Dons and Brentford – failing to win in three attempts – and that losing streak continued as goals from Saddlers strike pair Jabo Ibehre and Michael Ricketts moved Jimmy Mullen's side a step closer to a day out at Wembley.

The evening, however, had started in fine fashion after Josh Low arrowed in a fourth-minute opener for a shadow Cheltenham side littered with fringe players.

The defeat was harsh on goalkeeper Scott Brown, who made three superb saves in the opening period to keep the Saddlers at bay before the pressure started to tell after the break.

Allen also suffered a blow as striker Stuart Fleetwood hobbled out of the action after just nine minutes. He must now be considered a doubt for the visit of Colchester United on Saturday.

The manager made nine changes from the side that earned a last-minute draw at Brighton on Saturday in keeping with his policy of playing 'different' – not weaker – teams in the competition. Only Fleetwood and Brown remained from the side that started at the Withdean.

Allen also tinkered with the formation with the usual 4-4-2 disregarded for an almost interchangeable 4-3-3/4-5-1 formation, which spawned some moments of nice play – although Cheltenham were guilty of conceding possession cheaply at times as they tried to pass their way to goal. The hosts stunned Walsall by taking an early lead. Lee Ridley hoofed a long pass forward and the loose ball was picked up by Ben Gill after defender Chris Palmer failed to make a decisive clearance.

Gill snaked into the penalty area and around two challenges to square the ball and give Low the simplest of chances to convert.

That early joy subsided quickly, however, as Fleetwood was on the end of a robust challenge and hobbled out of the action to be replaced by Ashley Vincent.

Brown played a starring role to make sure his side maintained their slender advantage by pulling off three stunning saves as Walsall began to turn the screw. He threw himself to his left to get a combination of arm and leg to the ball to deny Ricketts the chance to convert an Alex Nicholls cross, before expertly repelling an instinctive Ibehre toe-poke.

The goalkeeper then showed safe hands to hold on to a vicious Stephen Hughes shot from distance and managed to get a flailing hand to a Ricketts header.

There was little Brown could do, however, when he was finally beaten on the hour mark. Midfielder Richard Taundry was given too much time and space to attack the edge of the Cheltenham area before delivering a delicious chipped cross to the back post that was clinically despatched by Ibehre.

The powerful frontman almost edged the Saddlers in front 10 minutes later but got the ball stuck under his feet and he eventually shot wide.

Ricketts made the breakthrough in the 74th minute, heading home a curling free-kick from Palmer after Andy Lindegaard had dragged Ismael Demontagnac down on the corner of the penalty area.

Cheltenham briefly rallied in search of an equaliser but unsuccessful efforts by Gill and Vincent from distance were all they could muster.

Cheltenham Town (4-5-1): S P Brown; Lindegaard, Caines, Gallinagh, Ridley; Gill, Montrose, Armstrong, Low (S Brown 74); Connor, Fleetwood (Vincent 9). Subs not used: Emery, Perry, Fathers.

Walsall (4-4-2): Gilmartin; Palmer, Gerrard, Roberts, Boertien; Taundry, Mattis, Hughes, Nicholls (Demontagnac 67); Ricketts, Ibehre (Reich 83). Subs not used: Cox, Deeney, Smith.