Colchester

Colchester United had 21 shots and ten corners at the JobServe Community Stadium, in front of 4,122. Walsall made fewer chances but took them better. Aaron Pressley's header 11 minutes from time and Courtney Clarke's breakaway in the sixth minute of stoppage time gave them a 3-1 win.

The visitors were ahead inside three minutes. Reece Smith's corner caused havoc, Isaac Moore helped it towards goal, and Declan Skura, on loan from Wycombe and moved to centre-back for the day, prodded it over the line in the scramble.

Payne from the spot

Colchester thought they were level moments later, when Sean Raggett headed in at the near post, but Chiwome was standing offside in Jed Ward's eyeline and it was ruled out. They had to wait until the 34th minute. Moses Sesay, on loan from Southampton, was brought down by Elicha Ahui, who was booked, and Jack Payne sent the penalty into the bottom right corner, even though Ward guessed the right way. The home side finished the half on top, and Sean Raggett went close twice from Payne's corners.

The second half was open. Jed Ward saved from Oscar Thorn and Paul Digby, and then from Sesay's shot towards the top of the net. At the other end Thimothée Lo-Tutala twice saved from Pressley inside three minutes.

Woodwork, then the winner

Walsall took over in the last 15 minutes. Smith hit the bar from outside the box on 76 minutes, and two minutes later Lo-Tutala kept out Isaac Moore's shot. A minute after that, Mason Hancock's cross took a deflection and Pressley glanced a header beyond Lo-Tutala. It was his tenth goal of the season.

Colchester sent on Ben Perry and Bradley Ihionvien, and Perry headed over from another Payne corner in stoppage time. With Colchester pushing, Walsall broke. Pressley set up Andy Dallas, whose shot was saved, and Clarke, on as a substitute, seized on the rebound and found the net via the crossbar.

"Small margins"

Lee Grant wanted a response after the defeat by Salford and got one.

It was one of the biggest things for us post-game in that it's not easy when you've had a flat performance and one where you actually feel like you've let yourself down in certain areas.

Lee Grant, Walsall manager (PA)

We keep encouraging the group, don't wait for confidence or belief – just keep working hard and trust that we're doing some things well.

Lee Grant

Danny Cowley, winless in ten, felt his side had pushed the game after the break.

We let such a soft goal in. I don't expect with the physicality that we have on the pitch to concede that goal.

Danny Cowley, Colchester United boss (PA)

We had lots of chances but it's small margins for us at the moment and it's not going for us.

Danny Cowley