Colchester slumped to a second successive defeat today after they were beaten 2-0 by Walsall.
The below-par U's were left to rue two gilt-edged chances that were missed inside the opening 11 minutes at the Bescott Stadium.
They both fell to Jamie Guy - handed his first U's start in more than two years - and on both occasions, he was foiled by goalkeeper Clayton Ince.
Guy was taken off at half-time after losing one of his contact lenses but not before the Saddlers had raced into a two-goal lead.
Walsall went in front in the 17th minute through their former England striker Michael Ricketts.
He bundled in Sofiene Zaaboub's cross from close range, after Alex Nicholls had capitalised on Marc Tierney's sloppy pass.
Former Arsenal midfielder Stephen Hughes then struck the woodwork for the home side before Colchester fell further behind, two minutes before the break.
Troy Deeney nodded in Ricketts' headed cross after Nicholls had made good use of Zaaboub's penetrating run from midfield.
Wingers Lewis Gobern and Simon Hackney were both introduced in the second half and Scott Vernon was also sent on from the bench.
Paul Reid had an effort ruled out for offside and Ince deflected Mark Yeates' low, fizzing effort away for a corner, with 14 minutes to go.
Hackney missed a great chance in the final minute when he fired into the side-netting.
And although Walsall hardly threatened former Saddler Jimmy Walker's goal in the second period, they were strong enough to hold on to their two-goal lead and inflict a first away league defeat on Colchester since mid-November.
For a full match report, pictures and reaction to Colchester's clash with Walsall, see Monday's Gazette.
Share