Colchester United 0-2 Walsall

Forde has netted two goal in three games to take his Walsall tally to four since his summer move from Wolves

Colchester United's relegation worries deepened as they suffered a fifth successive home league defeat.

The third-bottom U's missed early chances through Sanchez Watt and Sammie Szmodics before Walsall's Jordan Cook hit the woodwork from a tight angle.

The Saddlers took the lead just after the half-hour mark when an unmarked Anthony Forde headed in Cook's cross.

Alex Wynter hit the bar for the hosts before Michael Cain's 75th-minute tap-in secured Walsall's victory.

The Saddlers had lost their last two league matches, either side of their 2-0 Johnstone's Paint Trophy northern area final first-leg victory over Preston North End at Deepdale.

But Dean Smith's side are now back within three points of the League One play-off zone.

Walsall manager Dean Smith told BBC WM:

"We weren't at our fluid best. that said, it was a very professional performance and a deserved victory in the end.

"We could have done better in possession, but we scored a couple of good goals, kept a clean sheet and it's nice to be back on the winning trail.

"It was an afternoon where we showed character and determination to bring home the points."