LEYTON Orient interim manager Matt Harrold believes their 2-2 draw at Colchester United is a 'step in the right direction' for his team.

Ethan Coleman's stoppage-time goal rescued a valuable point for the O's, at a rain-sodden JobServe Community Stadium.

Ruel Sotiriou gave Orient a 66th-minute lead, before quickfire goals from Myles Kenlock and Owura Edwards had seen the hosts hit back.

The draw leaves the O's three points above the relegation zone, with 14 games remaining.

Harrold said: “It was a fighting display from the team – that’s a good way to describe it.

“If you looked at the bench as well, there were all of the subs and all of the staff fighting with them.

“I feel like I’ve played extra-time, my voice has gone but I thought we showed a lot of passion and a lot of pride and from minute one, they looked a little bit more structured than they did last Saturday.

“They took on board the stuff we’d spoken about and I think they put in a much more solid, professional performance.

“They are two poor goals I think we’ve conceded which we need to do better with, there’s no doubt about that.

“But we’ve come back and fought right until the very end.

“We’ve scored two goals which is lovely as we haven't scored many recently, so we’ve ticked some boxes.

“It wasn’t perfect but it’s a step in the right direction - but it's no good if we don't back it up."

Gazette:

Sotiriou broke the deadlock for Leyton Orient with a thunderbolt from the edge of the area.

"It was a great goal - I'm delighted for him," said Harrold.

"I spoke to Ruel yesterday - I've got so much time for him and he just needs to bide his time and when he gets a chance, take it.

"To be honest he has and I thought with his work rate, his fight for the team, him taking on the instructions we've given him in terms of positioning, he's put in a proper shift for the team.

"I always say to the boys that if you do that, you will get the rewards and I think he got that with the goal, which was a great strike.

"He was a constant menace I thought, even with the penalty and it was him who got on to the end of it with powerful running."

Gazette:

Orient felt they should have been awarded a penalty in the first half when Sotiriou tumbled under goalkeeper Shamal George's challenge in the area and was booked for simulation.

"I thought it was a dead cert pen, to be honest," said Harrold.

"I think he (the referee) was maybe the other side but speaking to the lino, I think he'd have given it but the ref said no.

"Frustrating as I thought it was quite clear but I know it's a tough job."

Harrold was disappointed with the goals Leyton Orient conceded, after they shipped two in the space of four second-half minutes.

"It's something we'll look at," he added.

"When you've got big John (Akinde) coming on, he does cause a bit of havoc.

"It means people have to change markers.

"I'm not happy with it and the goals (conceded) weren't good enough but luckily, we've got something out of it in the end."