'Fair result' - Darren Byfield reacts to Walsall's draw at Colchester

Darren Byfield says a draw was a “fair result” after Walsall were forced to settle for a point at Colchester United.

Harrison Burke opened the scoring with a finish from a tight angle midway into the second half, before Harry Anderson salvaged a point with an equalising header four minutes later.

Crewe Alexandra become the latest side to occupy the final play-off spot which Walsall still trail by just two points heading into the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

That extended the Saddlers’ unbeaten run to four games under Byfield, and although he was disappointed not to take all three, he was pleased to at least collect a point.

‘Two good teams’

“The fans can see that we’re trying to win the game. It was two good teams to be honest and a I think a draw was a fair result,” Byfield said.

“They keep the ball really well and I thought for the first 25 minutes they were the team keeping it, but I also felt like they weren’t hurting us with their possession.

“So we kind of controlled their possession but I still us to put our mark on the game and have a go at them, but we slowly got into the game and then we were very good in the whole of the second half.

“I’m disappointed we didn’t get the three points but it’s better than nothing.”

Myles Roberts produced an excellent near post save to deny Jack Payne and substitute Vincent Harper rescued Walsall at the death with a miraculous goal-line clearance to thwart Samson Tovide.

‘I can never question the effort’

In terms of the performance, Byfield felt Walsall could’ve been better in possession, but could not fault the effort on display.

“That’s Vinny. He gives his all, he’s never beaten and he’ll go right until the end,” he noted.

“So to see him clear it wasn’t a surprise.

“I don’t think anyone can leave the ground and say we didn’t give it our all.

“On the transition we looked a real threat. Can we keep the ball a bit better? Yes.

“A little bit sloppy at times, but I cannot ever question the effort.”

Byfield on drone incident

Play was halted for several minutes due to a drone flying above the stadium in the 81st-minute.

The officials followed protocol by sending both teams back to the changing rooms before completing the final stages.

On the incident, Byfield added: “Very strange. I’ve never witnessed that before or been a part of it.

“We were still stood out here and I just thought let’s wait for the drone to go.

“The protocol is that everyone needs to get in the building.

“You tend to lose momentum from it but I can’t use it as an excuse because it’s the same for both teams.”