Colchester United 2-1 Walsall player ratings: One 4 and two 5s in another Saddlers setback

Tommy Simkin - 6

Parry - Could only parry Jack Payne's effort back into the danger area before Colchester kept the attack alive to equalise through Teddy Bishop.

Oisin McEntee - 6

Struggled - Failed to cope with the pace of Owura Edwards and could perhaps count himself lucky not to have conceded a penalty for a push on Bishop. Did play an important role in the build-up to Charlie Lakin's opener. 

David Okagbue - 6

Mixed - Made a couple of key interventions in the first half although was arguably weak in the challenge on Lyle Taylor before Bishop fired home Colchester's equaliser.

Taylor Allen - 4

Nightmare - Marked his 100th appearance for the club in the worst possible fashion after receiving a second yellow card for kicking out at Jack Payne. 

Ryan Stirk - 6

Loose - Sloppy in possession at times and struggled to deal with the elusive runs from Bishop and Payne between the lines.

Connor Barrett - 5 

Bypassed - Beaten on a number of occasions by the tricky Edwards and failed to produce the same attacking output that he managed so effortlessly earlier in the campaign.

Jamie Jellis - 7

Shift - The midfielder at least put a shift in and tried to make things happen but he was often left chasing shadows with Colchester piling pressure down Walsall's right.

Charlie Lakin - 7 

Bright - The standout performer for Walsall. Came close when he flashed an effort wide in the first half and took his finish well to open the scoring just after the hour. 

Liam Gordon - 6

OK - Fed Lakin for his chance in the first half with a clever pass but his crossing ultimately let him down despite a couple of bright runs down the left. 

Jamille Matt - 6

Difficult - Stole the ball from Tom Flanagan but was denied by a last-ditch challenge from Fiacre Kelleher. Found it difficult to impose himself on the contest on his return from injury.

Ellis Harrison - 6 

Glimpses - Showed his quality in glimpses with a couple of nice touches and teed up Lakin with a deft pass before he found the bottom corner.

Substitutes 

Albert Adomah - 5 (for Matt, 67) 

Was late to close down Bishop before Colchester's first goal following his introduction but did set-up a late chance for Brandon Comley.

Brandon Comley (for Lakin, 86) 

Chopped on to his left foot and blazed a shot over the bar from the edge of the box.

Levi Amantchi (for Stirk, 86)

Drew a save from Matt Macey but could only direct his header straight at the Colchester goalkeeper.

Danny Johnson (for Harrison, 86) 

Unused: Hornby, Williams, Weir.