COLCHESTER United had to make do with a point after battling to a 1-1 draw with Walsall, on Saturday afternoon.

Cameron McGeehan's second-half goal secured a draw for Danny Cowley's side, after Taylor Allen had given the Saddlers a first-half lead.

Here are the Gazette player ratings, after Colchester played out a fourth successive home draw.

OWEN GOODMAN 7

U’s keeper denied Allen in the first half and both Tierney and Earing after the break

Gazette:

TOM DALLISON 7

Made a vital goal-line clearance from Gordon in the first half and looked composed throughout

CONNOR HALL 7

Colchester skipper put in a solid performance at the heart of the defence

Gazette:

JAY MINGI 8

U’s man of the match. Slotted seamlessly into unfamiliar centre-back role in first league start since November

ARTHUR READ 7

Battled hard in midfield and put his body on the line for the cause throughout

NOAH CHILVERS 6

Had a penalty saved by Smith but prior to that had worked hard to get his team going

Gazette:

CAMERON MCGEEHAN 8

Took his goal well and had earlier twice been denied by Smith. Booked

HARRY ANDERSON 6

Won the U’s a second-half penalty after returning to starting line-up before being replaced

JAYDEN FEVRIER 7

Showed some of his talent on his 50th appearance for the U’s; enjoyed his battle with Foulkes

Gazette:

BRAD IHIONVIEN 8

U’s youngster played his part in McGeehan’s equaliser and was foiled by Smith in the second half

JOHN AKINDE 6

Experienced striker did not get much change out of the Walsall defence who marshalled him well

SUBSTITUTES

ALISTAIR SMITH (for Chilvers, 68) 6

Added a physical element to Colchester’s performance in the final half hour or so

TOM HOPPER (for Akinde, 69) 6

Was typically committed and battled hard for the cause in the time he was on the pitch

OWURA EDWARDS (for Anderson, 74)

Subs (not used): Richardson, Jay, Wilkinson, Hornby.