THE LACK of a killer instinct in front of goal cost The Saddlers dear as our new-look side put in a good performance but fell to two goals from set-pieces by an in-form Colchester United.

The first action saw new-boy, Grant Smith, one of four players making their home debuts, put in an early ball that found Mark Wright but his effort flew over.

Skipper, Daniel Fox was booked in the fourth minute for a late challenge on Greg Halford that left the highly-rated Colchester man hobbling.

The visitors went close in the seventh minute when a dangerous ball to the far post found Mark Yeates whose effort was pushed out by Joe Murphy into the path of Neil Danns but somehow he fired wide from a good position.

At the other end, James Constable teed up Smith whose dipping shot fell just over before Michael Leary picked out fellow new-boy, Kevin James at the far post and his effort forced a corner.

A good touch from Mads Timm on 29 minutes set Wright racing away down the right-hand side and his low ball in was just turned wide by Constable.

Wright did well again shortly afterwards when he won possession in a dangerous position and hit a powerful strike that was pushed out well by the experienced Aidan Davison in The U's' goal.

The next attack saw Wright heavily involved again as he delivered a teasing ball from the right that just evaded the head of Constable who made a purposeful run into the danger zone.

After a free-kick from a dangerous position had been curled harmlessly into the arms of Murphy by Halford, Timmhit a low drive at the other end which deflected wide. The Manchester United loanee hit another shot within a minute that was also deflected inches wide of the target as the half ended goalless.

The visitors forced the ball in the net at the very start of the second period but it was ruled out for a clear foul, however it was The Saddlers who started the half in a positive fashion.

Smith turned the ball back into the danger zone following a corner in the 50th minute as Timm's instinctive effort from close range went just wide.

There was a change when Constable was replaced by Taiwo Atieno, who is just back from a loan spell at Kidderminster Harriers.

A marauding run from Anthony Gerrard saw him exchange passes with Timm before continuing his burst forward into the penalty area where he skipped past a couple of challenges before placing his shot wide as he closed in on goal.

It was to be Timm's last involvement in the action as he was replaced by Michael Standing, but within three minutes the visitors managed to get their noses in front when Danns stole in following a corner to guide the ball beyond Murphy.

The Saddlers tried to hit back and a powerful drive from the lively Smith flew inches wide before two inviting balls across the face of goal from Kevin James went begging with no-one on hand to turn the ball home.

Colchester clinched the game on 87 minutes when Chris Iwelumo used his hefty frame to head home from close range after Walsall once more failed to deal with a corner from the left.

It condemned The Saddlers to their first home defeat since September 17th.

PHOTOS: David Linney Photography.