Four points from two tough away fixtures in successive weeks, is not just probably more than most of us expected, but it also perhaps suggests that the revamped Orient squad is beginning to settle and get to grips with life in the third tier.

Probably the most impressive aspect of these two results is the way that on both occasions we have had to come back from going a goal down and have really shown the spirit that we will continue to need in order to firmly establish ourselves in League 1. After the disappointing performance and result at home to Stevenage, it feels like we are bit by bit starting to build some momentum.

Rather unsurprisingly, having changed the side to such great effect going into the match at St James Park, it was an unchanged eleven and system that the gaffer went with at Peterborough. Just as we did at Exeter, we started very much on the front foot, taking the game to the hosts.

Despite that decent enough opening 20 minutes, it was the hosts who found the breakthrough first, and didn’t you just know that it would be ex-O Hector Kyprianou who would find the net? Sol Brynn didn’t really deal with a cross into the box from a corner and the ball fell for our former midfielder to poke home from less than a yard. Once again it proved that dealing with balls into the goalmouth is an area we can definitely improve on, and whilst it the on-loan keeper must shoulder some of the responsibility, he did make some important saves and claims later on that ultimately helped to secure an important away point.

Just like the previous week, our response to going behind was very encouraging, and we found the net ourselves just 12 minutes later: Omar Beckles and Joe Pigott both seemed to reach a superb cross from the right from Jordan Graham at the same time, but the vice-skipper was quick to claim the bragging rights having managed to put through his own net twice already this season.

The second half was more of an arm-wrestle with chances few and far between, although the hosts did put the ball in the net through Randall on the hour mark, only to be denied by a raised flag for offside. For Orient the best chance of a winner fell to Ethan Galbraith, on as a sub for George Moncur, but he couldn’t keep his effort down and it cleared the crossbar by a good distance. It may not have been as thrilling as the previous week, but a point is a point as they say, and toughing out results on our travels is another encouraging sign going forward.

Speaking after the match Richie Wellens reflected on what he felt was a point gained saying: “When you go away against a team that is obviously a yo-yo club between the Championship and League 1, so you come here and get a point you have to take it, especially after going 1-0 down to a really poor goal.” A sentiment I think most of the highly impressive nearly 2000 travelling fans would wholeheartedly agree with.

Over the last few weeks we have reflected on the uncertainty in terms of the starting eleven and the set-up of the team, but over these past two matches it feels like the first choices are starting to emerge to an extent. Having said that though, I do wonder if the plan is for Aaron Drinan, once up to full fitness, to be first choice as the central striker, and also whether Ethan Galbraith will replace George Moncur as an attacking midfield option?

On the subject of Drinan and Galbraith it was another positive that both were able to participate in the EFL Trophy game last night. I completely get people’s apathy towards the competition after the introduction of Premier League U-21 teams a few years back, but it is a useful way to get minutes into the fringe players and the odd youngster.

However at last night’s game I was chatting with some Fulham fans who had overheard me discussing how the competition would be better if it reverted to being for teams from Leagues 1 and 2 only. Their response was that their cosseted academy players need to play against fully developed men’s team to help their development, which I have to say I found patronising to the highest degree. It feels like yet another indication of just where the third and fourth tiers sit within the views of the money-driven world of the Premier League. As I suggested to the Fulham fans, wouldn’t it be better for the game as a whole if instead of hijacking our competition they made more of their young players available for loan to clubs lower down the divisions?

Next up for us is a home league match, the first for what seems like a while, as we entertain Shrewsbury Town. The Shrews have had a similar start to the season as we have, having won three and lost four of their opening seven league matches and conceding twice as many goals as they have scored.

After what has been a fairly tough start in terms of fixtures, it feels like we now have a run of games where we might have the opportunity to pick up some points. If we can continue to build on our strong response to the frustrating defeat at the hands of Stevenage, both in terms of performance and results, then we will hopefully begin to consolidate our place in the table. Here’s hoping so!

Up the O’s!