With barely a minute gone Dwayne Mattis was lucky to escape with just a warning and not a booking as he chopped down dangerman Kayode Odejayi, on loan from Barnsley, in the middle from about 25 yards out.Thankfully for Walsall, the free kick came to nothing as it sailed harmless away. A minute later however Anthony Wordsworth did get a shot on target which was comfortably saved by Ince.
The home side couldn't beat the offside trap and they were caught out three or four times in quick time succession. On seven minutes Walsall almost took the lead when Till sent over a great ball which Mark Bradley met with his head but the ball went inches away from the post. It was a well planted header and Walsall were showing signs of not being overshadowed by the home side who have done so well at home this season.
Colchester did have the ball in the back of the net on ten minutes but the whistle had already gone. On the twenty minute mark Darren Byfield showed a bit of class as he turned and shot from the edge of the box which would have been a smart goal had it have come off. Walsall were full of running and starting to knock the ball around a bit looking quite comfortable.
Somewhat against the run of play the home side took the lead with something of a fortunate goal. A shot that was going wide was deflected into the net off Kevin Lisbie on 26 minutes.
The lead didn't last long though and the lively Byfield from inside the box hit the ball down the middle and high in the net to stun Colchester who wondered what had hit them. It was an excellent strike. On 36 minutes Till tried a shot which was blocked. Two Walsall players, Darren Byfield and Troy Deeney were injured and both needed treatment much to the annoyance of the home fans.Walsall were pressing again and won two corners on the stroke of half time as the Saddlers finished the half strongly. Such was the story of the half was that Walsall forced 6 corners without reply from Colchester.
On 51 minutes Richards had a shot that cleared the bar and just afterwards the midfielder sent over an inviting cross that caused all sorts of panic in the home defence. On the hour mark came a penalty decision that seemed somewhat controversal certainly for the travelling Saddlers fans. Josh Payne seemed to go down all too dramatically following a challenge from Mark Hughes. The spot kick was blasted home by Lisbie but again Saddlers heads didn't drop and Richards came steaming in and beat the keeper to the ball but his touch cleared the bar.
Clayton Ince was called to make a string of fine saves as the home side were looking for a third goal. It was turning in a real battle as Walsall kept going.Richards hit a good strike from the edge of the box which looked to be going into the top corner but the keeper did well to tip it over.Deeney and Sansara were both booked for fouls.Alex Nicholls came on for the hardworking Byfield and Walsall really pressed in time added on and had three or for attempts to force a draw they deserved but it simply wouldn't happen