Match ends, Walsall 2, Colchester United 1.
WalsallWalsall2ColchesterColchester United1
Walsall grabbed two late goals to come from behind and beat bottom-of-the-table Colchester United.
The visitors looked to have claimed an unlikely win through Alex Gilbey's header just before half-time.
But Tom Bradshaw levelled with a minute remaining when he latched on to Matt Preston's flick-on.
Defender Preston then netted the winner in the fourth minute of added time when he found the top corner with a left-footed strike inside the area.
Victory for the Saddlers leaves them level on points with second-placed Wigan, but behind the Latics on goal difference.
Walsall interim head coach Jon Whitney told BBC WM: "We knew Colchester would be a serious test, they've got some really good offensive players.
"We needed to keep believing because we knew it might come down to that one chance you get, and that came into fruition."
Line-ups
Walsall
Formation 3-5-2
- 1EtheridgeBooked at 90mins
- 6Downing
- 4O'ConnorSubstituted forPrestonat 18'minutes
- 3Taylor
- 2Demetriou
- 10SawyersBooked at 74mins
- 22KinsellaSubstituted forMorrisat 66'minutes
- 8Mantom
- 14HenrySubstituted forLalkovicat 66'minutes
- 9BradshawBooked at 90mins
- 31Hiwula-Mayifuila
Substitutes
- 12Forde
- 13MacGillivray
- 15Lalkovic
- 16Preston
- 17Flanagan
- 18Morris
- 27Morris
Colchester
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 33Parish
- 4EdwardsBooked at 86mins
- 32Chambers
- 15Kent
- 31Shorey
- 2Garvan
- 8GilbeyBooked at 30mins
- 11Massey
- 10MoncurSubstituted forAmbroseat 78'minutes
- 12LeeSubstituted forWrightat 74'minutes
- 9PorterSubstituted forBonneat 79'minutes
Substitutes
- 7Wright
- 19Bonne
- 20Lapslie
- 24Brindley
- 25Barnes
- 28Ambrose
- 41Dunne
- Referee:
- Andy Haines
- Attendance:
- 5,818
Match Stats
Home TeamWalsallAway TeamColchester
- Possession
- Home57%
- Away43%
- Shots
- Home15
- Away17
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away7
- Corners
- Home5
- Away8
- Fouls
- Home9
- Away13
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Walsall 2, Colchester United 1.
Post update
Tom Bradshaw (Walsall) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Drey Wright (Colchester United).
Booking
Neil Etheridge (Walsall) is shown the yellow card for excessive celebration.
Goal!
Goal! Walsall 2, Colchester United 1. Matt Preston (Walsall) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Jordy Hiwula-Mayifuila with a cross following a corner.
Post update
Corner, Walsall. Conceded by Elliot Parish.
Post update
Attempt saved. Tom Bradshaw (Walsall) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Matt Preston (Walsall) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Post update
Corner, Walsall. Conceded by Joe Edwards.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Kieron Morris (Walsall) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Post update
Attempt missed. Jordy Hiwula-Mayifuila (Walsall) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
Post update
Attempt missed. Darren Ambrose (Colchester United) header from a difficult angle on the left misses to the left.
Booking
Tom Bradshaw (Walsall) is shown the yellow card for excessive celebration.
Goal!
Goal! Walsall 1, Colchester United 1. Tom Bradshaw (Walsall) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Matt Preston.
Post update
Foul by Tom Bradshaw (Walsall).
Post update
Frankie Kent (Colchester United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Booking
Joe Edwards (Colchester United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Sam Mantom (Walsall) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Joe Edwards (Colchester United).
