COLCHESTER United suffered their first defeat in six matches after they slumped to a 4-0 defeat at high-flying Walsall this afternoon.

A late brace from substitute Jack Earing following goals from Jamie Jellis and substitute Albert Adomah condemned the U's to defeat at the Poundland Bescot Stadium, as they failed to follow up their win over Tranmere Rovers, last weekend.

The scoreline was harsh on Colchester after Walsall scored three times in the final minutes but the visitors will nevertheless be disappointed with the manner of the goals they conceded.

Colchester boss Danny Cowley named an unchanged team in the league for the third successive game and the U’s made a promising start against a Walsall side who started the day in third spot in the league.

Colchester earned several set piece opportunities but were unable to capitalise on them and the Saddlers went close in the 17th minute when Ryan Stirk curled a shot just wide from the edge of the area.

Colchester captain Tom Flanagan needed to make a superb block midway through the first half to deny Nathan Lowe in the area, after Connor Barrett’s superb run from deep had set up the chance for Walsall.

And at the other end, Samson Tovide was unlucky when he did brilliantly to get the better of defender Harry Williams and race into the area but saw his attempted cross blocked, with Lyle Taylor and Owura Edwards lurking.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

Colchester fell behind in the 39th minute when Jellis brilliantly controlled Taylor Allen's long punt upfield before lashing the ball into the net, after the visitors’ defence was caught cold.

It meant the U’s went in at the break behind and Nathan Lowe almost doubled Walsall's lead just after half-time with a close-range effort that sailed just wide.

Colchester were forced into a change soon after, with the injured Owura Edwards replaced by Anthony Scully, who took up a position on the left flank.

U's goalkeeper Matt Macey made a good save down to his right to push away Jellis's fierce goalbound strike before Colchester were forced into another change when Teddy Bishop limped off and was replaced by Arthur Read.

Colchester were still in the game but their final pass and execution often eluded them in the final third when it mattered.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

And the U's fell further behind in the 79th minute when substitute Adomah touched the ball past Macey and in from two yards, after Connor Barrett had been allowed to collect possession, run into the box and pick him out.

It was almost 3-0 with four minutes to go when Ben Gordon's strike flashed just over the bar, following a rapid break by the hosts.

But Earing came off the bench to score a third for Walsall in the 89th minute when he finished clinically from the edge of the area, after Macey had made a good save from Lowe. 

And he sealed the Saddlers' big win in stoppage time when he tapped home from close range, after Lowe had unselfishly squared the ball to him, as the U's were well beaten.

MATCH STATS: COLCHESTER UNITED: Macey, Goodliffe, Flanagan, Egbo, Iandolo (sub Donnelly, 81), Woodyard, Payne, Bishop (sub Read, 64), Edwards (sub Scully, 51), Tovide (sub Hunt, 81), Taylor (sub Gordon, 81).

Substitutes (not used): Kelleher, Smith.

Walsall: Simkin, Barrett, Gordon, Lowe (sub Johnson, 90), Lakin (sub Adomah, 71), Jellis, Williams, Stirk (sub Comley, 90), Okagbue, Allen, Matt (sub Earing, 71).

Substitutes (not used): Daniels, Cleary, Hornby.

Goals: Walsall: Jellis (39), Adomah (79), Earing (89, 90).

Referee: Farai Hallam.

Bookings: Colchester: Taylor (unsporting behaviour, 15), Flanagan (foul, 21), Woodyard (unsporting behaviour, 32). Walsall: Barrett (foul, 45).

Sending off: None.

Attendance: 5,140 (356 U's fans).