Taylor Allen issues apology after seeing red on Walsall milestone

Charlie Lakin opened the scoring with a low drive into the bottom corner midway into the second half before Teddy Bishop restored parity four minutes later. 

Owura Edwards shimmied inside with ease to unleash a spectacular strike into the far top corner from just outside the box and condemn the Saddlers to a third successive away defeat in League Two. 

Allen, who had been booked in the first half for a foul on Lyle Taylor, was then shown a second yellow card after kicking out at Colchester midfielder Jack Payne. 

The defender decided to face the media on his own accord and took responsibility for letting emotions get the better of him in Essex.

He said: "I've shown my frustrations today and reacting the way that I did, being on a yellow card, was very naive of me. When you go 2-1 down, there is still a chance to get the game back. 

"It wasn't a fact that the game was gone, I've obviously reacted and let frustrations get the better of me.

"I've come out (to apologise) because I'm really frustrated with myself. My teammates help me out and we all help each other out throughout every single day and I feel like I've let them down, the staff down and especially the fans. 

"The fans have travelled a long way so the least I can do is come out and say I'm sorry for my reaction. We're disappointed with the result as well but we've got a group in there and we're willing to make things right."

Allen will be suspended for the visit of Gillingham at Bescot on Tuesday night, with Evan Weir his likeliest replacement at left centre-back. 

His dismissal was the third of his Walsall career after he was shown two bookings in a 1-0 win at Newport County in August 2022 and a straight red in a 3-1 home defeat against AFC Wimbledon last season.

Walsall remain top of League Two but have seen their lead cut from 12 to six points in the past fortnight.