Striker reveals improved morale at Brisbane Road

Newham Recorder: O's Ryan Hedges celebrates his goal at Walsall (pic: Simon O'Connor)O's Ryan Hedges celebrates his goal at Walsall (pic: Simon O'Connor) (Image: Simon O'Connor Photography)

Leyton Orient striker Chris Dagnall says confidence is rising in the Brisbane Road ranks as the club battles against relegation from League One.

Dagnall’s 10th goal of the season sealed a 2-0 win at Walsall at the weekend – Orient’s third win in four outings – and will send them into their meeting with leaders Bristol City tonight in positive mood.

Victory at Walsall lifted O’s two places to 21st and they are due to visit Peterborough on Saturday.

Dagnall said: “It’s just confidence. We’ve been playing well in certain games and not getting the results. The lads kept their confidence up and it’s shown in the last three or four games.

Newham Recorder: O's striker David Mooney gets a shot in at Walsall (pic: Simon O'Connor)O's striker David Mooney gets a shot in at Walsall (pic: Simon O'Connor) (Image: Simon O'Connor Photography)

“We did well against Bradford and were unlucky not to get a result, but in the last four games the confidence has started to pick up a lot more and it’s really showed in the last two games.

“We’ve got to prove it to ourselves. We don’t think we should be where we are in the league.

We want to get out of this relegation fight as soon as we can.”

Manager Fabio Liverani brought new loan signing Luke O’Neill straight into the side at right-back, following his move from Premier League Burnley, and the visitors performed well in the opening 45 minutes.

Newham Recorder: Orient players observe a minutes silence at Walsall (pic: Simon O'Connor)Orient players observe a minutes silence at Walsall (pic: Simon O'Connor) (Image: Simon O'Connor Photography)

They had to wait until just before the hour mark to break the deadlock, though, as Ryan Hedges netted his first goal for the club.

And Dagnall was then the beneficiary of a good through ball from the young midfielder as he fired home number two moments later.

Dagnall added: “The way we played in the first half, we did very well and never got the goal we deserved.

“We came out in the second half and continued to do the same, except we got two goals in five minutes to kill the game off. It’s great we got three points.

“We defended brilliantly again, for the second game on the trot, and if we get the goals and keep defending like that I’m sure we’ll pick up a few more wins.”