19 January 2008 saw Bristol Rovers take on Walsall at the Memorial stadium. A series of postponements led the Rovers board to invest in a new pitch covering system to ensure the next couple of games go ahead, including the FA Cup third round replay against Fulham. Going in to this game Rovers were in 17th place in League One, only three points above the relegation zone, while Walsall were in the last playoff position, 6th. Walsall were 12 points ahead of Rovers with a goal difference 11 goals better than that of the Pirates.