Manager Kevin Nolan was thrilled with victory over Oxford, as Sebastian Liggenstorfer reports.
Leyton Orient player-manager Kevin Nolan was left delighted after the O’s claimed an important 1-0 win at second-placed Oxford United.
Jobi McAnuff’s third goal of the season secured Orient three vital points in their push for promotion to move back into the playoff places, and Nolan praised his players’ response after losing to Luton Town the week before.
“It was an important win after last week’s disappointment. I asked the lads for a reaction all week and to be fair to them they have been absolutely fantastic,” said Nolan.
Orient had control over the game and created a lot of chances. They could have scored more then just the one goal but they were not clinical enough in front of goal.
The victory at the Kassam Stadium extends the O’s unbeaten run away from home under Nolan to five matches, though the player-manager called for his side to be ‘more ruthless’.
“To come here and carve out the chances we did was massive. We could have scored three or four goals today. We need to get that ruthlessness going when we are away from home.”
Red Card
Despite the win Orient were dealt a late blow when captain Mathieu Baudry was shown a straight red card in stoppage time for a challenge on Kemar Roofe, and Nolan believes referee David Coote made the wrong decision.
“I don’t think Baudry’s red card was one from seeing it in real time. I was very surprised when I saw the red. The referee definitely got it wrong and I’m hoping we will appeal against it,” added Nolan.
With this win Orient are back in the playoffs and they will look to keep their place in the top seven with another win next weekend against Morecambe.
Now seventh in League Two, Orient will be looking to keep hold of their playoff spot with another victory next weekend when they host Morecambe at the Matchroom Stadium.