Walsall forced a draw at Colchester with the last kick of the game with a superb free kick from Andy Taylor after six minutes of time added on had expired! It was no more than the team and the small band of followers deserved as Walsall had dominated most of the game and a home win would have been so unjust. Walsall started promising from the off, forcing a couple of early corners and threading a few worthwhile attacks. However against the run of play Colchester took the lead with their first attack on seven minutes. It was a combination of ball watching and standing too far off Freddie Sears who picked his shot with realative ease.
Far from being dishearted,Saddlers continued with their passing game and creating corner after corner for the rest of the game. If fact the final corners count was 15 against just one by the home side. The shots tally and shots on target stats along with the possession all tilted in Walsall's direction. Saddlers had twice hit the woodwork in the first half- James Baxendale and Sam Mantom both with good efforts and going in to half time you did wonder if it was going to be one of those days.
The second half saw Dean Smith use all his substitutes to get back in the game including former winger Julian Gray who had been training with the players for over a month. It was like as if he'd never been away, displaying genuine wing qualities as well as sending over some impressive corners. Then at the end of the game came the Walsall goal that they richly deserved. Andy Taylor took his time and sent a curling free kick into the back of the need to leave the 'U's totally delated. They can have no complaints though as Walsall deserved their point but in all honesty deserved the three points.
