Orient striker nets brace on his return from suspension in 4-1 victory over Crawley Town on Boxing Day

It’s been a long wait for Leyton Orient striker Chris Dagnall but he was just delighted to be back in the starting line-up and making an impact in the 4-1 Boxing Day win over Crawley Town at Brisbane Road.

The 28-year-old netted his sixth and seventh goals of the season in the victory – O’s first win under new boss Fabio Liverani.

And for Dagnall it was just a relief to be involved again after a month out of the team as he served a three-match suspension for a straight red card he received at Bradford City on November 29.

“It has been a frustrating time and a long four weeks,” said Dagnall. “There’s nothing worse than when you are fit, ready to go and you have to sit on the sidelines.

“It was an undeserved red card in my opinion and it’s been a long four weeks but I am glad to get back and to score two goals.”

Former O Jimmy Smith pulled it back to 1-1 after Dean Cox had given Orient a sixth-minute lead.

On previous occasions Dagnall believed Orient would have wilted, however he was pleased they could capitalise on a Crawley side lacking confidence.

“You could see they were short of confidence from the way they played in the first half,” he added.

“We just had to keep the tempo up and once it went to 1-1 our heads could have gone down as it has in previous games.

“But we got the second goal before half time which was important and we then killed the game off with the third goal.”

Boxing Day also saw the return of striker Kevin Lisbie to the matchday squad following four months out with a dislocated shoulder, and Dagnall knows he has to remain in goals to be assured of his starting spot on a regular basis.

“We’ve got Kevin Lisbie back and soon there will be six or seven forwards battling it out for two places,” said Dagnall.

“I have got to keep fit, keep scoring goals, not get sent off again and hopefully that will mean I can stay in the team.”