Colchester United 2-1 Walsall: Saddlers suffer third successive away defeat in Essex

Charlie Lakin opened the scoring with a thumping low finish midway into the second half only for Teddy Bishop to haul Colchester level four minutes later. 

Owura Edwards completed the turnaround when he cut inside and struck a sensational effort into the far top corner from outside the box in the 75th-minute. 

Taylor Allen was then shown a second yellow card to compound Walsall's misery as their lead at the top was cut to six points.

Mat Sadler named three changes from the 2-2 draw against Salford City at Bescot last weekend. Jamille Matt was immediately restored to the attack after missing the past two games with a hamstring injury and partnered debutant Ellis Harrison. 

Oisin McEntee also came into the back-line, with Harry Williams dropping to the bench due to a suspected knock. Josh Gordon and Ethan Wheatley, who both started last time out, were not involved in the squad.

The hosts had collected 10 points from a possible 12 in League Two prior to kick-off and posed the biggest attacking threat during the opening exchanges. 

Owuru Edwards proved a tricky customer down the left and raced away from McEntee before his low centre was dragged wide by Harry Anderson from the edge of the box. 

Colchester continued to exploit the clear advantage Edwards boasted in his footrace with McEntee as the Irishman struggled to cope with his pace. 

McEntee could also count himself fortunate not to have conceded a penalty when his push on Teddy Bishop inside the box went unpunished by referee Lee Swabey. 

Charlie Lakin did come close for Walsall before the break when Liam Gordon fed the ball into his feet inside the box but the midfielder flashed a low effort wide of Macey's left-hand post. 

Colchester made the brighter start after the break without troubling Tommy Simkin but Walsall began to show signs of improvement in attack towards the hour-mark. 

Lakin provided the breakthrough midway into the second half with his third goal of the season in all competitions. 

McEntee sprinted down the right before feeding a low ball into the feet of Harrison with his back to goal. The MK Dons loanee teed up Lakin and the midfielder lashed a thunderous low finish into the bottom corner. 

However, Walsall's lead lasted just four minutes as Bishop restored parity for the hosts. Jack Payne stung the palms of Simkin with a venomous effort and Colchester kept the attack alive with Bishop tucking his finish beyond the reach of the Walsall goalkeeper. 

Colchester turned the game on its head 15 minutes from time when Edwards was afforded far too much room to cut inside and unleash a spectacular strike into the far top corner from just outside the box.

Things went from bad to worse for Walsall when Taylor Allen was shown a second yellow card for an off-the-ball incident with Payne on his 100th appearance for the club.

Sadler introduced Danny Johnson and Levi Amantchi in attack for the closing stages and the latter headed straight at Macey at the start of seven minutes of second half stoppage time. 

Brandon Comley, who also emerged from the bench late on, had the last chance when he chopped on to his left foot and blazed over the crossbar.

Next, Walsall welcome Gillingham to Bescot under the lights on Tuesday night before playing host to Chesterfield next weekend. 

Teams

Colchester (4-3-3): Macey; Egbo, Kelleher, Flanagan, Iandolo; McDonnell, Bishop (Read 90 +7); Anderson, Payne (Tucker 90 +7), Edwards (Vincent-Young 85); Taylor (Simpson 90 +4).

Unused: Smith, Thorn, Aboh.

Walsall (3-1-4-2): Simkin; McEntee, Okagbue, Allen (Red card 78); Stirk (Amantchi 86); Barrett, Jellis, Lakin (Comley 86), L Gordon; Harrison (Johnson 85), Matt (Adomah 67).

Unused: Hornby, Williams, Weir.

Other Details 

Referee: Lee Swabey

Attendance: 4,734 (453)