Colchester United boss Joe Dunne admitted that his side did not play well, even though they came within a whisker of beating Walsall at the Weston Homes Community Stadium this afternoon.

Freddie Sears’ seventh minute strike put the U’s on course for what would have been their first win in nine league games, but a wonderful free-kick by Andy Taylor, in the sixth minute of injury-time, rescued a point for the Saddlers.

Dunne rued: “We ended up giving them the opportunity to score with that late free-kick.

“Walsall dominated the second half, but obviously it feels like a defeat to us.

“It was a wonderful free-kick, but it was a little cruel being so late.

“I thought my back four defended well, but it would have papered over the cracks if we had won.

“I dont think we played very well today.

“Now we need to pick ourselves up and go again.

“Let’s face it, Walsall deserved their point, but it’s frustrating for the players, and of course the fans,” added Dunne.

The U’s now face back-to-back away games, at Brentford next Saturday and then at Shrewsbury on Tuesday week.