Match ends, Colchester United 0, Walsall 2.
ColchesterColchester United0WalsallWalsall2
Colchester United's relegation worries deepened as they suffered a fifth successive home league defeat.
The third-bottom U's missed early chances through Sanchez Watt and Sammie Szmodics before Walsall's Jordan Cook hit the woodwork from a tight angle.
The Saddlers took the lead just after the half-hour mark when an unmarked Anthony Forde headed in Cook's cross.
Alex Wynter hit the bar for the hosts before Michael Cain's 75th-minute tap-in secured Walsall's victory.
The Saddlers had lost their last two league matches, either side of their 2-0 Johnstone's Paint Trophy northern area final first-leg victory over Preston North End at Deepdale.
But Dean Smith's side are now back within three points of the League One play-off zone.
Walsall manager Dean Smith told BBC WM:
"We weren't at our fluid best. that said, it was a very professional performance and a deserved victory in the end.
"We could have done better in possession, but we scored a couple of good goals, kept a clean sheet and it's nice to be back on the winning trail.
"It was an afternoon where we showed character and determination to bring home the points."
Line-ups
Colchester
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Walker
- 20ClohessyBooked at 37mins
- 13Gorkss
- 18Eastman
- 2Wynter
- 24Moncur
- 38Fox
- 28Szmodics
- 7Sanchez WattSubstituted forMasseyat 74'minutes
- 19HealeySubstituted forBonneat 69'minutes
- 41HewittSubstituted forSembie-Ferrisat 79'minutes
Substitutes
- 3Gordon
- 8Gilbey
- 12Lewington
- 21Massey
- 27Bonne
- 32Lapslie
- 37Sembie-Ferris
Walsall
Formation 4-4-2
- 1O'Donnell
- 2Purkiss
- 15Chambers
- 4O'ConnorSubstituted forDowningat 4'minutes
- 3TaylorBooked at 81minsSubstituted forHenryat 83'minutes
- 27Forde
- 7Chambers
- 12Cain
- 21CookSubstituted forBaxendaleat 78'minutes
- 10Sawyers
- 9Bradshaw
Substitutes
- 6Downing
- 11Baxendale
- 13MacGillivray
- 17Flanagan
- 24Grimes
- 25Henry
- 37Manset
- Referee:
- Brendan Malone
- Attendance:
- 2,980
Match Stats
Home TeamColchesterAway TeamWalsall
- Possession
- Home48%
- Away52%
- Shots
- Home11
- Away12
- Shots on Target
- Home6
- Away4
- Corners
- Home6
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home7
- Away10
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Colchester United 0, Walsall 2.
Post update
Attempt missed. James Baxendale (Walsall) left footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left.
Post update
Foul by Tom Eastman (Colchester United).
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Tom Bradshaw (Walsall) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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David Fox (Colchester United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Michael Cain (Walsall).
Post update
Corner, Walsall. Conceded by Sean Clohessy.
Post update
Hand ball by Romaine Sawyers (Walsall).
Post update
Attempt saved. George Moncur (Colchester United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Post update
Foul by Sammie Szmodics (Colchester United).
Post update
Adam Chambers (Walsall) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Substitution
Substitution, Walsall. Rico Henry replaces Andy Taylor because of an injury.
Post update
Corner, Colchester United. Conceded by Ben Purkiss.
Post update
Corner, Colchester United. Conceded by Ben Purkiss.
Booking
Andy Taylor (Walsall) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Dion Sembie-Ferris (Colchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Andy Taylor (Walsall).
Substitution
Substitution, Colchester United. Dion Sembie-Ferris replaces Elliott Hewitt.
Substitution
Substitution, Walsall. James Baxendale replaces Jordan Cook.
