Walsall 0-2 Colchester - report: Saddlers knocked off top spot after defeat
Walsall were knocked off top spot in League Two after falling to a 2-0 defeat against Colchester United at Bescot.
Samson Tovide opened the scoring in the 21st-minute and set-up Kyreece Lisbie to double their advantage before half-time.
Jid Okeke and Albert Adomah came close in an improved second half performance, but Walsall ultimately succumbed to a third league defeat in four games.
Mat Sadler named the same team that began the Saddlers' 4-2 win at Newport County, as new signing Kemar Roofe was named on the bench.
Walsall looked flat from the outset and struggled to cope with Colchester's game plan to break in behind down the channels.
Colchester worked the ball out to the right and flashed a low cross to the back post, which Ellis Iandolo blazed over from close-range.
The visitors were the only side asking the questions and they deservedly opened the scoring through Tovide just before the midway point of the first half.
Ryan Finnigan failed to head away Arthur Read's floated free-kick, which Anderson brought down and squared for Tovide to convert.
Walsall failed to reawaken from their slumber after falling behind, as they found themselves outbattled and bullied, especially in midfield.
Tovide turned provider for Lisbie when Colchester doubled their lead three minutes before the interval. The striker raced away on the counter-attack and delivered a low ball for Lisbie to slot past Myles Roberts.
Sadler introduced Okeke and Jamille Matt early in the second half, while Adomah and Priestley Farquharson entered the action for the final 20 minutes.
They did push further up the pitch in an attempt to claw their way back into the game. The introduction of Okeke provided Walsall with an attacking outlet and he came close when his powerful shot was beaten away by Matt Macey at his near post.
Adomah almost marked his emergence from the bench with a goal. His first touch from Weir's low free-kick delivery was sublime, but his fizzing volley from an acute angle was cleared off the line.
Kemar Roofe made his Walsall debut for the closing stages, but they failed to reduce the deficit.
Next, Walsall make the trip to Wetherby Road to face Harrogate Town next Saturday.
Teams
Walsall (3-1-4-2): Roberts; Browne, Flint, Weir; Finnigan; Barrett, Clarke, Lakin, Harper (Okeke 55); Kanu (Roofe 75), Pressley (Matt 55).
Not used: Hornby, Warrington.
Colchester (5-3-2): Macey; Vincent-Young, Tucker, Araujo, Flanagan, Iandolo; Read, Bishop (Hunt 78); Anderson; Tovide (Mbick 71), Lisbie (Gordon 56).
Not used: Smith, Powell, Edwards, Goodwin.
Referee: James Durkin
Attendance: 6,251
