The Saddlers took a third-minute lead when Declan Skura converted from close range after Reece Smith’s corner into the six-yard box had been helped on.

Jack Payne was denied by Walsall keeper Jed Ward and Colchester had an effort disallowed before half-time when Sean Raggett’s header from a corner was chalked off.

The U’s eventually levelled in the 35th minute when Payne converted from the spot after Elicha Ahui had fouled Moses Sesay in the box.

Ward then saved Oscar Thorn’s strike while Colchester keeper Thimothee Lo-Tutala twice denied Aaron Pressley and Smith’s fine first-time effort clattered the Colchester crossbar, before Pressley restored Walsall’s lead when he nodded in Mason Hancock’s curled cross in the 79th minute.

Substitute Connor Clarke then sealed the victory in the sixth minute of stoppage time when his shot went in off the underside of the crossbar after Lo-Tutala had done well to deny Andy Dallas.