WALSALL boss Mat Sadler felt his team's early resilience paved the way for their 4-0 triumph over 'a good Colchester side'.

The U's were the better side in the first half hour of the League Two clash at the Poundland Bescot Stadium but were stifled by a strong defensive performance, by the Saddlers.

Jamie Jellis then put Walsall ahead late in the first half, before a brace from Jack Earing and another strike from fellow substitute Albert Adomah sealed the hosts' win, which lifted to them to second in the league table.

READ MORE: Danny Cowley's verdict on Colchester United defeat at Walsall

Sadler told the Walsall FC website: "They're a good Colchester side.

"I don't want to take that for granted in any shape or form.

"We saw in the first 20-25 minutes...I know they're a good team; I think they've got two very, very good centre-forwards and their wide left player (Owura) Edwards is a very good player, (Jack) Payne a very good player, so you know you're going to be under the cosh at times.

"I thought for us, we were extremely resilient during that period and weathered it.

"We could feel that there could be an emotion of frustration because we weren't getting our passes in and there was an element of frustration here and there but there was no arm throwing or getting angry with each other.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

"It was a steely resilience of 'come on, let's get better, let's get those passes and switches of play going'.

"The (first) goal was fantastic and it's something that we work on, that eight run, running in behind against the back four.

"Jamie (Jellis) timed it to perfection and it was a fantastic ball from Taylor (Allen).

"We go in at half-time and it's just those same messages, in terms of the ways that we wanted to hurt them and I thought we were so controlled within our game, in the second half.

READ MORE: Match report as Colchester United are beaten at Walsall

"For the second goal, I don't know how many passes it was but it was a real spell of dominance and possession for us and Connor (Barrett) gets one v one which is great.

"I thought our back five were tremendous against...I don't think you'll come up against too many better attacking front fours than what Colchester have got in the division, I really don't.

"So to come out with a clean sheet was top, top defending from us, as a team."

Sadler pinpointed Colchester's attempts to hurt their opponents down the channels and felt his side dealt with the threat well.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

"We were fully aware of one of the strengths of Colchester is that pattern where they play to the left-back and try and get the number nine rolling down the sides of it and I thought Dave (Okagbue) handled that brilliantly," added Sadler.

"You saw the once when they did get in behind; the boy (Samson Tovide) looks like he's got the other side and then Connor (Barrett) is back in and nipping at his toes and that's defending as a unit.

"I felt the lads dealt with everything that was thrown at them, in the main."