Omer Riza could not wipe the smile off his face after he gained his first win as Leyton Orient boss in a 2-1 victory over Hartlepool United at Brisbane Road.

Victor Adeboyejo and Tristan Abrahams were both on the scoresheet to ensure a vital three points went the O’s way and staved off relegation into the National League.

Rhys Oates opened the scoring in the seventh minute for Hartlepool but it was not to be for the North-East of England side.

Orient are now seven points off of the safety zone with three games to go and Riza was adamant every point can still be played for.

He said: “It was nice for the boys to get a win today they worked really hard. Again, it was one of those you were not sure what you were going to get with everything that is going on.

“But as soon as they cross that line they are a different animal. They work hard, especially since I have been in charge and they have not shown any lack of work rate or respect and I can’t ask anymore.

“They have gone out there today and got three points so I am very happy.”

Orient fans were in full voice today as they staged an ‘oh what a circus’ protest against owner Francesco Becchetti.

Last month the O’s were handed a winding-up petition by HMRC over an unpaid tax bill in what was believed to be around £125,000 to £250,000.

Becchetti has since paid the initial bill and other creditors have now taken over the petition and they are due once again in High Court on Monday, June 12.

On 11 minutes past three, the Matchroom Stadium erupted into whistleblowing as they were calling time on the Italian’s ownership.

When asked how he felt about the supporters protest the 37-year-old said: “I was a bit worried today in all honesty, very anxious about the whole thing because all the work you are trying to do to make sure you boys perform it is just another problem.

“And it is tough because all I am interested in is the match and them performing. I am in the same boat as everyone else.

“But I would like to think everyone put their professional head on and just got on with it. We are trying to do that but it is tough for everybody but we did that today.

“The fans were brilliant. They did not stop cheering us on the whole game, they did what they thought they needed to do. They have been great.”

The win meant the O’s are not relegated just yet but face a tough run in against Crewe Alexandra, Colchester United and Blackpool.

Questions are now being asked if against all the odds Orient can stay in the Football League and not drop into the conference for the first time in 112-years.

“It is a tough task we know that already,” said Riza. “But I am not going to stop fighting while there are points to play for.

“There are games to fight in and we will keep doing that. Until such time we can’t do it, I won’t stop believing.

“Imagine if we go on and win three games now. Because that is what I will be telling my players. We win three games that is all we can do.

“If the results don’t go for us after that, there is nothing you can do, looking to pick up as many points as we can.

Riza also admitted he was not sure whether the players and staff would be paid before the away trip to Crewe on Saturday.