Ten-man Walsall slipped to defeat at Colchester after Andy Butler’s red card KO’d the Saddlers.

The captain’s 32nd minute dismissal – and Anthony Wordsworth’s subsequent penalty – sunk the Saddlers, who are now winless in five games.

They offered little and Ben Williams was a virtual spectator, as Jimmy Walker in the opposite goal kept Walsall in with a chance.

The veteran saved from Ian Henderson and twice denied Kayode Odejayi, as Colchester failed to kill off the game.

And the Saddlers thought they should have had a second-half penalty, after Magnus Okuonghae appeared to handle in the box.

Walsall improved in the second half but defeat left them 17th in League One – already 10 points adrift of the play-offs.

Manny Smith, Kevan Hurst, Jon Macken and Will Grigg all returned, as the Saddlers searched for the winning formula.

Derby loanee Dave Martin failed to make the squad, while Darryl Westlake returned to the bench.

But, despite the changes, Walsall again lacked the creativity and they were on the back foot early.

Butler’s slip allowed Michail Antonio a run on goal, but the Reading loanee dragged his 18-yard effort wide.

The Saddlers were comfortable but rarely threatened to open the hosts up – relying too much on hurried clearances for Grigg and Macken to chase.

Walker claimed Wordsworth’s free kick before he kept the Saddlers level on 24 minutes.

Wordsworth’s ball caught Walsall flat-footed and Henderson raced clear down the left, but Walker thwarted the striker when he attempted to lift the ball over the goalkeeper.

Colchester begun to take charge with Antonio and Henderson the focal points and Odejayi headed over on the half hour, from Antonio’s centre.

Antonio’s pace was a constant danger for the Saddlers and on 32 minutes it unlocked the visitors for the winner.

He outstripped Butler to Wordsworth’s pass and Saddlers skipper brought him down, as he raced into the area.

The captain was dismissed and Wordsworth dispatched the penalty, despite Walker’s best efforts.

Oliver Lancashire replaced Jamie Paterson as the Saddlers regrouped, but they lacked punch and initiative.

Walker saved again from Henderson, with Walsall out-numbered and out-thought in the first-half.

Kevan Hurst headed over two minutes after the re-start but Colchester – and Odejayi – spurned two golden chances to end the contest.

First the striker headed over with the goal at his mercy from two yards before, on 53 minutes, Walker denied the striker who had burst clean through.

The Saddlers offered little in response with any attacks breaking down, through lack of numbers or lack of quality.

Wordsworth fired wide just after the hour but the Saddlers felt they should have had a penalty soon after, when Okuonghae handled under pressure from Grigg.

It was a let off for Colchester and Walsall began to see more of the ball – even if they failed to threaten – as the game wore on.

But it took an outstanding save from Walker to stop Colchester doubling their lead on 79 minutes, clawing Odejayi’s header away after Kemal Izzet’s teasing cross.

The Saddlers pushed at the death and Ryan Jarvis shot over, but they couldn’t find the leveller.