Colchester United were forced to settle for a point against play-off chasing Walsall in a 1-1 draw at the JobServe Community Stadium.
The visitors took an unlikely lead in the first half with Taylor Allen striking in from the edge of the penalty area, giving Walsall the advantage at the break.
But a quickfire response from the U’s early in the second half saw them back on level terms – Cam McGeehan’s well-struck effort nestled in the top corner to make it 1-1.
The U’s were given the opportunity to take the lead from the penalty spot, but Noah Chilvers couldn’t make it count with Jackson Smith saving well to keep the scores level.
The point sees the U’s move out of the bottom two, up to twenty-second and ahead of Forest Green Rovers on goal difference.
Up next, Colchester United travel to league leaders Mansfield Town on Saturday afternoon at 12:30pm.
Danny Cowley named a side with four changes from last weekend’s 2-0 defeat to Barrow; Hopper, Egbo, Richardson and Smith all came out of the starting eleven, to be replaced by Mingi, Akinde, Fevrier and Ihionvien.
The U’s started with a 3-5-2 formation – Goodman, in goal, protected by Mingi, Hall and Dallison at the back, flanked by the two wing-backs of Fevrier and Anderson. Arthur Read and Noah Chilvers sat as deeper midfielders, as Cam McGeehan played just behind the duo of attackers in Akinde and Ihionvien.
The half started tentatively, with both sides edging their way into the game on the newly sized pitch at the JobServe Community Stadium.
Half-chances came and went for either side in the opening twenty minutes, although neither Jackson Smith or Owen Goodman were really tested.
The first meaningful effort on goal came from the head of Cameron McGeehan, forcing a good save out of Smith as the U’s tried to break the deadlock from a corner.
Jayden Fevrier flashed a half-chance wide of the mark on his fiftieth outing, but it was the visitors who would strike first in the contest. Taylor Allen was allowed space on the edge of the penalty area, and drove his shot into the far corner with eight to play in the first half.
Colchester United were trying to claw their way back into the game, and nearly found an equaliser through McGeehan. The Northern Irishman received Ihionvien’s low cross in a good area, but couldn’t beat an outstretched Smith to the left.
Allen’s single goal in the half was enough to give the Saddlers the lead at the break, with the U’s given all the work to do to find something in the game.
But the U’s came out fighting in the second half, and quickly got themselves back on level terms. Cam McGeehan netted for Colchester after some good work from Bradley Ihionvien on the far side. The young striker raced away on the left, and delivered a good ball that was missed by Akinde, but knocked into the top corner by McGeehan.
The game then swung in favour of the U’s, and Danny Cowley’s side had a golden chance to take the lead – but couldn’t make it count. Harry Anderson was brought down in the area, with the referee pointing to the spot, but Smith was equal to Chilvers’ kick to leave it at 1-1 with an hour gone.
Brad Ihionvien went close to giving his side the lead a couple of minutes later after Chilvers managed to pick him out in the penalty area. The U’s man sent his marker the wrong way, but saw his attempt equalled by Smith with the ball aimed at the top corner.
Danny Cowley was the first to make a change in the game, a double switch with twenty to play. Tom Hopper and Alistair Smith came on in place of Noah Chilvers and John Akinde.
Another change came quickly after, with Owura Edwards introduced to the action, with Tierney and James-Taylor brought on for the visitors – Isaac Hutchinson and Mo Faal made way.
Owen Goodman pulled off a brilliant stop with time running out, denying Jack Earing on from close range, with the referee blowing for full time soon after.
The point sees the U’s move out of the bottom two, above Forest Green Rovers on goal difference. Next up, Danny Cowley’s side travel to promotion-chasing Mansfield Town.
Colchester United starting XI: Goodman, Hall, Dallison, Chilvers (A. Smith 69’), McGeehan, Read, Anderson (Edwards 75’), Mingi, Akinde (Hopper 69’), Fevrier, Ihionvien.
Subs: Hornby, Jay, Wilkinson, Edwards, Hopper, Richardson, A. Smith.
Walsall starting XI: J. Smith, Okagbue, L. Gordon, Hutchinson (Tierney 74’), Foulkes, Comley, Earing, J. Gordon, Allen, Faal (James-Taylor 74’), Adegboyega.
Subs: Evans, Riley, James-Taylor, Menayese, Stirk, Tierney, Johnson.
Attendance: TBC
