Paul Merson was a relieved man after he guided Walsall to a late win to ease the crisis at Bescot.
It was Walsall's first victory in six games and it was a vital success in view of their desperate position.
Merson was the inspiration and it was no surprise he had a hand in both second-half goals from teenager Julian Bennett and veteran Neil Emblen.
Both defenders advanced to convert crosses from Merson after Richard Garcia had given high-flying Colchester the lead in the 71st minute.
Earlier in the game Merson demonstrated his determination to spark off a much-needed Walsall revival when he clipped the crossbar as early as the third minute.
It set the pattern for the rest of the game as the Saddlers strived for the vital opening goal to ease the pressure near the foot of the table.
The talented Matt Fryatt, fresh from playing for England Under-19s, was not as sharp as usual but he was thwarted by an outstanding display from Colchester goalkeeper Dean Gerken.
Gerken's highlight occurred just before the break when he saved twice in quick succession from Jorge Leitao and Fryatt.
Those two incidents highlighted Walsall's lack of fortune and their need to find a consistent goalscorer.
Merson continued to be the Saddlers' danger-man, as he demonstrated with another fine shot which clipped the crossbar during a spell of heavy pressure.
Ironically, Colchester survived to take an undeserved 71st minute lead when Garcia latched onto a cross from Stephen Hunt to steer the ball past on-loan goalkeeper, Joe Murphy.
The Saddlers hit back to equalise within two minutes, when a low corner from Merson was headed home by Bennett, for his first ever league goal.
Eleven minutes later Merson curled over a free-kick from the left to the far post, where it was headed home by Emblen to clinch the points.