Walsall had to settle for a point as Colchester United came from behind to earn a draw.
Taylor Allen opened the scoring in the first half but Cameron McGeehan scored just three minutes into the second period to equalise.
The Saddlers also had Jackson Smith to thank as he saved Noah Chilvers’ penalty and ensured the visitors went home with at least a point.
Mat Sadler made one change to the team that started the draw with Barrow as David Okagbue was restored to the team after serving a one-match ban with Rollin Menayese dropping to the bench.
Colchester had the first clear cut chance of the afternoon when McGeehan’s header was saved by Jackson Smith who pushed it away.
Walsall’s first meaningful effort came after 24 minutes when Taylor Allen’s powerful strike was beaten away and Allen came close again from the resulting corner as Josh Gordon’s header was blocked and the ball fell into his path but he blazed over.
It was looking like being a quiet first half but on 37 minutes, the Saddlers opened the scoring when Liam Gordon rolled the ball into the path of Allen who fired it into the far corner to give the visitors the lead.
Colchester responded well to falling behind and Smith was called into action on the stroke of half time when Jayden Fevrier cut it back to McGeehan and he shot first time but Smith got down well to deny him and make a good save.
The U’s started the second half brilliantly and levelled just three minutes into it when the ball came out to McGeehan who smashed the ball into the net.
Colchester built up a head of steam and came close moments later when John Akinde teed up Brad Ihionvien who let fly but Smith did well to parry away his effort.
The hosts were then presented with a glorious opportunity to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty after Harry Anderson went down in the box.
Noah Chilvers stepped up but Smith guessed the right way and made the save to keep the scores level.
It became a bit of a battle from there and Sadler made a double substitution on 74 minutes as he introduced Douglas James-Taylor and Ross Tierney in place of Mo Faal and Isaac Hutchinson.
Tierney almost made an impact just seven minutes after coming on after he met Jack Earing’s swept ball and was bearing down on goal but Goodman raced off his line and saved his effort as the Saddlers had a spell of pressure late on.
Despite a late burst from the hosts in added time, both sides had to settle for a draw in the end.
Smith; Foulkes, Adegboyega, Okagbue, Allen, L. Gordon; Earing, Comley, Hutchinson (Tierney 74’); Faal (James-Taylor 74’), J. Gordon
Subs: Evans, Riley, Menayese, Stirk, Johnson
