Colchester United were beaten 3-1 at struggling Walsall tonight.

The U's surrendered their nine-match unbeaten run after the Saddlers came from behind to claim all three points, at the Banks's Stadium.

Colchester keeper Ben Williams denied Emmanuel Ledesma in the opening minutes but the U's took an 11th minute when stand-in skipper Anthony Wordsworth curled in a delightful first-time shot from nearly 25 yards for his 12th goal of the season, following Kayode Odejayi's ball across the box.

But Walsall responded well to the setback and Williams was forced into action to foil both Ledesma and Kevan Hurst in quick succession, while Manny Smith's header from a corner rattled the crossbar.

Walsall eventually equalised seven minutes before half-time through the impressive Ledesma, who scored with a superb free-kick from 25 yards which left Williams with no chance.

And the U's fell behind a minute before the break when left-back Mat Sadler drilled in, after Colchester had failed to deal with Alex Nicholls' low cross into the area.

Colchester sent Ashley Vincent on for his first appearance since December and the U's went close when Sadler was forced to clear Odejayi's goalbound effort away from underneath his own crossbar.

But Walsall substitute George Barrowman headed in Walsall's third, with 16 minutes to go.

And although Gillespie forced keeper David Grof into a save late on, the U's were unable to find a route back into the game.

For a full match report, pictures and reaction to Colchester's game at Walsall, see Wednesday's Gazette.