4:58pm Saturday 20th March 2010
By Jonathan Waldron
A dramatic late goal from substitute Darren Byfield saw Colchester United beaten 1-0 by ten-man Walsall at the Bescot Stadium this afternoon.
For the second successive game, the U's played more than a half against a team with only ten men.
But they will be hugely disappointed they could not make their advantage count and against the Saddlers, in their on-going promotion push.
Kevin Lisbie had a golden opportunity to give Colchester a tenth-minute lead but was denied by Walsall goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin.
And at the other end, U's keeper Ben Williams pulled off a brilliant save to thwart Saddlers midfielder Dwayne Mattis, soon after.
Colchester were handed a boost just before half-time when Walsall were left down to ten men, after their captain Mark Hughes was shown a straight red card for a foul on Ashley Vincent.
The U's did their best to make their numerical advantage count in the second half.
Lisbie dragged a shot wide after a promising run, while Anthony Wordsworth had an effort ruled out for offside, after Gilmartin had saved from Clive Platt.
Substitute Steven Gillespie hit the post with a shot from the edge of the area in the final minute.
But four minutes into stoppage time Byfield, amid suspicions of offside, latched onto Troy Deeney's long pass before cutting inside the area and squeezing a low shot past Williams for the winner.
For a full match report, pictures and reaction to Colchester United's game at Walsall, see Monday's Gazette.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/trade_directory/