New Year’s Day nightmare was laid to rest as O’s made their point

ORIENT winger Dean Cox says he will be able to walk round Brighton with his head held high after Orient’s draw with the League One leaders on Tuesday night.

Cox, who joined the O’s from Brighton, is a regular visitor to his home town and after the O’s crashed to a 5-0 defeat at the Withdean on New Year’s Day he admitted it wasn’t a plesant experience going back.

“It wasn’t nice when we lost 5-0 there on New Year’s Day,” said Cox.

“For me, being a Brighton boy, walking round the town and getting heckled after that game was not nice.

“But when I go back now I can hold my head up. I’ll be going home happy, we have taken a point against the league leaders and now we will be raring to go for Saturday.”

Cox almost won the game for Orient with an effort from 20 yards in the first half, only to be denied by visiting keeper Casper Ankergren.

“He’s (Ankergren) made a fantastic save. It was on it’s way into the top corner and he’s somehow tipped it over the bar,” said Cox.

“We’re all bitterely disappointed to have drawn. We kept Brighton quiet and that’s a massive step for us following the result at the Withdean Stadium.”

O’s face another stiff test at second-placed Bournemouth on Saturday, but Cox insists the players will be going flat out to ensure they keep their place for the FA Cup clash with Arsenal.

“I don’t think the FA Cup will be a distraction, because the players are fighting for their shirts,” he said.

“Arsenal are coming here and everyone wants to play in that cup tie. Anyone who comes into the team will want to impress. The cup is not a distraction.

“We have a good squad here and we know that if we are not on our game there are other options and you could find yourself sitting on the bench.”