It’s these wins on the proverbial Tuesday nights in the middle of January, when hardly anyone is watching, that are what you undoubtedly describe as season-defining moments.

Yeovil and our FA Cup exit – barely 72 hours beforehand – in all honesty seemed an eon away and the 144 travelling fans were rewarded with a good, gritty and resilient performance to erase the memory our weekend reverse.

The beauty of the game is that you never pick or choose your results, but once the goal had gone and after Shrewsbury had spurned a couple of good chances, it was all about trying to see the rest of the game – albeit with only 27 minutes gone. This was bouncebackability par excellence!

Just where does the gaffer get these loan players from? The goalie looked really assured and did all he had to do on an otherwise quiet evening and Jamar Loza up front looked as if he had been partnering Kevin Lisbie for all his career.

Obviously, it’s too early to tell whether all the four loan signings – so far – will go on to be roaring successes, but those who played this evening made a significant contribution in what eventually turned out to be our first ‘double’ of the season.

Shrewsbury – to be totally honest – were one of the poorest sides I have seen this season and they were as wasteful this evening as they were when they came down to E.10 all the way back at the start of the season.

But you can only beat what is put in front of you and the O’s went about their business in the manner that has seen us now be able to boast the best away record in the country.

There was a time, especially during the early 90’s, when we went nearly two years without an away win and that was in the old Fourth Division. Fast forward 20 years and there is a good chance the O’s will reach double figures in wins on their travels.

And coupled with that, the magic 50-point mark has been surpassed with only 24 games played. That’s still over two points on average per game, which equals promotion form. Long may it continue.

Keep the faith,

Up the O’s.