Walsall boss Chris Hutchings has blamed skipper Mark Hughes for conceding the penalty which led to the Saddlers crashing 2-1 at Colchester in League One.

The captain brought down Josh Payne for the 61st- minute spot-kick which Kevin Lisbie buried for the winner on Saturday.

Hutchings reckons Hughes should never have made the challenge.

He said: “That’s what cost us the game. There was no coming back from that and it was an easy chance for them to take the lead.

“It’s decision making. We talk about being ruthless in their box, but we’ve got to be ruthless in our own box and not give chances like that.

“It was a bad decision from Mark to make the tackle. The player was going away and he’s gone to ground and he didn’t have to do that.”

Hutchings admitted he had spoken to Hughes after the game and insists the captain knows of his mistake.

He said: “What I say in the dressing room is private, but he’s disappointed. I thought he went to ground too early and the referee gave a penalty.

“Some people might have said it was a little bit harsh, but my first reaction was that he’d caught him.”

Lisbie had given the hosts a 26th minute lead, but Darren Byfield equalised just 90 seconds later.