Cast your minds back to three weeks ago – or more precisely January 28 – when we overcame a strong Coventry outfit.

That night many of us must have believed the O’s could go on and really take the division by the scruff of the neck, having continued to mirror their start-of-season form with their fourth consecutive win.

But, what followed was a rather major blip and one point out of a possible 12 with three consecutive defeats doubling our loss tally.

However, the seeds of recovery had been sown at an emotion weekend clash at Deepdale with a more than useful point, although it’s always disappointing to have to settle for a share of the spoils having led for nearly 20 minutes.

So a win, any victory, last night was paramount. Having arguably shot ourselves in the foot with the poor Bristol City home defeat only a week beforehand, a return home and more importantly a return to winning ways was essential if we were to have any say in the automatic promotion battle.

Coupled with the fact that Stevenage have a good record at Orient in the last couple of visits – this clash was never going to be a ‘gimmie’ – if there is such a thing in football.

Therefore, it was important to get that first goal although it was ultimately thanks to some poor defending from the visitors that would see us edge further ahead and then hold out under some sustained pressure, with Eldin Jakupovic once again outstanding.

We must just hope that Hull City keep their two regular goalkeepers fit and out of the referees’ notebooks. If that happens, then the sky for us is very much the limit, as Jakupovic could well be at Orient until the Easter Wolves clash.

Having also slipped below the parapet in terms of points per game ratio, namely two, this result also gets us ‘back on the bus’ and if we can go on another run, then who knows where it can take us.

Obviously, the O’s are masters of their own destiny, but with Brentford and Wolves going head-to-head this weekend, it certainly gives us the chance to re-establish our pole position in the table assuming we can overcome a more than useful Swindon Town side.

Brentford and Wolves still have to visit the Matchroom Stadium later in the season, but the more nagging need will be for the O’s to consolidate their promotion frame spot and the ball is firmly in their court with two consecutive home games coming up.

Up the O’s, 

Keep the faith.