FREDDIE Sears salvaged a point for Colchester United as they played out a 2-2 draw with Walsall in their final home game of the season this afternoon.

Sears scored from the spot in the second half to add to his earlier strike for the U's, after goals from Brendan Kiernan and George Miller either side of half-time had put the Saddlers in charge.

Colchester made two changes to their side for their game against Walsall.

Sam Hornby was recalled in goal in place of Shamal George who was on the bench, while Luke Hannant was chosen in place of Cole Skuse.

It was a fairly quiet opening to the contest, with little in the way of goalmouth chances early on.

But as the first half wore on, Colchester warmed to the task.

And the U’s were ahead in the 24th minute, thanks to the predatory instincts of their leading goalscorer Freddie Sears.

The experienced striker prodded home from close range, after Emyr Huws had helped the ball into his path in the six-yard, with Walsall not properly clearing Alan Judge’s free-kick.

Walsall responded well to the setback, though and were almost level in the 29th minute when Hornby made a brave save to deny Sam Perry from close range, after Tyrese Shade's initial effort was blocked.

Colchester came close again when Sears lifted a shot just over the bar from the edge of the area, after Noah Chilvers had done well to pick him out.

But the visitors were level in the 39th minute through Brendan Kiernan, who curled a fine shot into the bottom far corner of the net from the edge of the area, leaving Hornby no chance after U's had failed to clear their lines.

Colchester went in level at the break and made another change at the interval, with John Akinde sent on for Huws.

But the U’s fell behind for the first time in the match, three minutes after the break.

George Miller forced home a shot from close range despite Hornby’s best attempts to keep it out, following Kiernan’s low cross from the right.

However, Colchester were level again in the 56th minute when Sears’ penalty squeezed past Carl Rushworth despite the Walsall goalkeeper’s best efforts to keep it out, after Donervon Daniels had tripped Brendan Wiredu in the area.

Walsall came close to regaining their lead soon after when Manny Monthe blasted over from close range, after a goalmouth scramble following a corner.

But Colchester then missed two great two opportunities to score in the space of five minutes.

Chilvers fired wide with only keeper Carl Rushworth to beat after Akinde had done well to set him up.

And a few minutes later, Chilvers once again had another golden chance to score but was denied by the legs of Rushworth, after Sears had done well to set him up with the chance.

Sears was also denied by Rushworth as another chance went begging for the U's and the hosts could not muster a winner, as the points were shared.

MATCH STATS: COLCHESTER UNITED: Hornby, Tchamadeu, Chambers, Smith, Kenlock (sub Coxe, 42), Wiredu, Huws (sub Akinde, 46), Chilvers, Judge (sub Wright, 81), Hannant, Sears.

Subs (not used): Eastman, Cracknell, Edwards, George.

Walsall: Rushworth, White, Daniels, Monthe, Kiernan (sub Shaw, 90), Osadebe (sub Rodney, 80), Miller, Earing, Perry (sub Kinsella, 60), Menayese, Shade.

Subs (not used): Leak, Devine.

U's man of the match: Freddie Sears.

Referee: Dean Whitestone (Northamptonshire).

Bookings: Walsall: Monthe (foul, 83).

Sending off: None.

Goals: Colchester: Sears (24, 56). Walsall: Kiernan (39), Miller (48).

Attendance: 3,520 (328 Walsall fans).