Walsall 0 Colchester United 0
Walsall remain win-less in League One this season after a drab stalemate with fellow strugglers Colchester at the Banks's.
In a game of few chances, both sides hit the woodwork in the first half and the Saddlers went close late on through a free-kick from substitute Anthony Forde.
But both sides displayed a lack of belief after poor starts to the season and clearcut chances were few and far between.
After a frenetic, high-tempo start in which the teams struggled to get control of congested midfield, both sides struck the woodwork.
On 11 minutes, Freddie Sears found some space 20 yards from the Saddlers goal and hit a firm, right-footed shot that beat Richard O'Donnell but bounced to safety off the inside of a post.
And three minutes later Billy Clifford delivered a free-kick from the right that was glanced goalwards by Tom Bradshaw, but his header grazed the crossbar on its way for a goal-kick.
On 21 minutes Adam Chambers went close for Walsall after driving forward from midfield and feeding Mathieu Manset on the left.
Chambers continued his run and met the Frenchman's cross at the near post but sent his effort just wide.
Just before the half-hour the Saddlers were grateful to Paul Downing, who charged down a 20-yard shot from Sears after a neat exchange of passes on the left by the visitors.
And there was a further chance for the visitors moments later when Sanchez Watt crossed from the left for Sammie Szmodics, whose shot was deflected behind for a corner.
Just before the interval the Saddlers enjoyed their best spell of the half, which ended with Manset bursting through the middle of the field to the edge of the box and bending a right-footed effort narrowly wide.
And in the closing seconds Andy Taylor bent a left-footed shot just high and wide.
Three minutes into the second half came a contentious moment when Sanchez Watt went down under a challenge from Paul Downing in the Walsall box and screamed for a penalty.
Referee Pat Miller waved away the protests and there was an angry exchange between the players as Downing appeared to accuse Watt of diving.
And midway through the half the Saddlers went close through Reece Flanagan, who burst into the box and cut onto his left foot before bending a shot just wide of the target.
Sears then tried his luck from distance for the visitors but his effort crept wide.
In the final minute, Forde saw his curling free-kick clawed away excellently by visiting keeper Sam Walker.
And in stoppage time Bradshaw was sent clear but he dragged his shot just wide.
