Walsall drew for the second time in a week as they were held to a goalless draw at Colchester United.

The draw ended a run of consecutive league defeats for the Saddlers but it proved to be another frustrating day in front of goal.

Darrell Clarke made five changes to the team that drew at Coventry City in the Leasing.com Trophy in midweek.

Danny Guthrie made his first league start since the opening day after impressing in the Leasing.com Trophy against Coventry City in midweek on his return from injury while Rory Gaffney made his full league debut for the Saddlers.

The first half was cagey and neither side had too many clear-cut chances. Luke Norris forced a save out of Liam Roberts who pushed away his low drive after nine minutes.

Colchester had a good chance on the stroke of half-time when Norris arrowed in another low shot but Roberts was equal to it and made a good save low to his left.

Walsall were forced to make a change seconds before the break as Cameron Pring picked up an injury and was replaced by Dan Scarr.

The tempo of the second half improved and the Saddlers created their first meaningful chance of the game on 59 minutes when Gaffney got in behind down the left channel and cut it back to Gary Liddle who fired in a shot from 25-yards which was parried behind by Dean Gerken.

Clarke gambled to try and win the game by bringing on Elijah Adebayo in place of Rory Holden, meaning there were three centre forwards on the pitch.

Adebayo made a positive impact and saw an acrobatic overhead kick saved by the keeper on 78 minutes.

Walsall were dealt a blow in the closing stages when Adebayo went down in the box and was unable to continue which meant the Saddlers had to get through the closing stages with 10 men.

Walsall: Roberts (GK), Norman, Clarke, Liddle, Jules, Pring (Scarr), Kinsella, Guthrie (Sinclair), Holden (Adebayo), Lavery, Gaffney