Colchester United manager John Ward admitted his side were second best to Walsall after losing 3-1 tonight.

The U's were below-par at the Banks's Stadium, after surrendering their nine-match unbeaten run in League One.

The defeat leaves Colchester in tenth place in the table, nine points off the play-off places with seven games remaining.

Ward said: "The best team won and that was Walsall.

"I won't use the number of games that we've played (this month)as an excuse.

"These guys want to play football - it's what they do and they'd rather do that than train.

"It depends on how you look at runs - it's one defeat in ten for us.

"I'll be very interested and I'm sure our supporters will too as to how these boys respond on Saturday (at Exeter).

"We've got a long journey which isn't a problem but it's a game that we'll go and try and win.

"We've got our pride and everything else to play for and we'll give it a good go."

See Wednesday's Gazette for a full match report, pictures and reaction from Colchester's defeat at Walsall.