THE SADDLERS ran out worthy 2-0 winners against Colchester United on a bitterly cold afternoon at the Banks's Stadium

There was a good chance for the visitors as early as the second minute when Jamie Guy beat Chris Palmer before seeing his effort well blocked by Clayton Ince, who jetted in from El Salvador on Friday after playing for Trinidad & Tobago in a World Cup Qualifier.

It was a lively start for Colchester as a cross from the right flashed across the face of goal and just evaded David Perkins at the far post before Mark Yeates dipped a free-kick just over.

Guy once more broke free in the tenth minute as he beat the offside trap to find himself with only Ince to beat, but the giant 'keeper bravely blocked as former Saddler Clive Platt picked up the loose ball to tee up Yeates who shot straight at Ince.

Walsall's first chance came when Stephen Hughes saw an effort touched onto the post by James Walker as the ball rebounded away from both Troy Deeney and Michael Ricketts before being cleared to safety.

With 16 minutes on the clock, Alex Nicholls found Sofiene Zaaboub on the far side and his inviting low cross picked out Ricketts in the middle and he had the simple task of turning the ball home from close range to make it 1-0.

A break away from Walsall saw Ricketts use his strength to get into the penalty area before putting a low ball across in search of Deeney, but Walker was alert to block.

There was a blow in the 35th minute as Rhys Weston went down heavily and had to be stretchered off with Manny Smith taking his place in the heart of the back-line.

A nice turn and low strike by Zaaboub forced Walker into a low save before the advantage was doubled as Ince came under pressure from Platt and as the ball was cleared, Zaaboub embarked upon a positive run to find Nicholls whose deep cross was headed back by Ricketts to Deeney who looped his header over Walker and into the net.

Right at the end of the half, Gerrard tried his luck from distance with a low strike that crept narrowly wide.

Saddlers' legend, James Walker received a warm round of applause as he took his place in goal in front of the Floors-2-Go Stand at the start of the second half.

It was Ince who was first in action as he had to be alert to deny Platt as Colchester pumped a free-kick into the box.

At the other end, Zaaboub put in a dangerous cross that saw Paul Reid do well to clear ahead of Deeney. Then shortly afterwards there were appeals for a penalty as Deeney was hustled off the ball by Alan Maybury, but the referee was unimpressed.

Both Ricketts and Deeney caused more problems for the visitors' back-line as Zaaboub did well to keep the ball alive before crossing to the far post where Tierney had to clear.

Colchester had the ball in the net just past the hour-mark when Reid came up from the back to fire home, however his celebrations were cut short by an offside flag.

Within seconds of entering the action, Simon Hackney drilled a low strike just wide for The U's.

Some hesitation by Reid at the other end almost let in Deeney, but Walker was alert to clear just outside his area.

It was to be Deeney's last involvement in the action as he was replaced by Sam Williams.

As the clock ticked down, Yeates' strike through a crowd of players was well pushed out by Ince as The Saddlers survived the resulting corner.

There was another change with ten minutes to go as the lively Zaaboub was replaced by Richard Taundry, who was back after two games out with injury.

A tricky run by Nicholls ended with his progress halted in robust fashion to win a free-kick that Hughes curled in search of Williams, but the ball was just out of his reach.

Right at the death, Hackney fired into the side-netting from a good position before Yeates headed wide as Chris Hutchings' side held on to claim all three points and make it three games without defeat.

PHOTOS: David Linney Photography