Match-winner Lloyd James insists the O’s have been unlucky with penalties after the midfielder ended his side’s spot-kick woes against Swindon Town.

Orient have spurned numerous opportunities from the penalty spot this season with David Mooney, Kevin Lisbie and Elliot Omozusi all failing to score. Striker Lisbie missed their most recent effort at home to Coventry City last month but James was next in line on Saturday and held his nerve to score twice against the Robins.

The former Southampton youngster said: “I’ll take the next one and see how we go. It was just my turn to take a penalty and luckily enough I scored.

“You’ve got to be confident when you step up to take a penalty and luckily enough I scored two today.”

Despite Orient’s problems from the spot this season, James insists the O’s players were unfortunate to come up against inspired goalkeeping.

He said: “It’s just down to good saves off the keeper. Most of the penalties have been saved. There’s not been a poor penalty and luckily enough my two went in today.

“I’ve taken a few in shoot-outs and took one in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy against Stevenage in normal play and I scored that. So I just waited my turn and it came today.”

Orient’s latest victory pushed them back to the League 1 summit and the O’s have won 20 of their 33 matches. James insists Russell Slade’s side have set their own standards and cannot afford to drop them in their remaining 13 games.

The 26-year-old said: “It’s a brilliant return and the main thing is we’ve got to keep producing that now. We’ve set our standards and we’ve got to keep going.

“We’ve just got to concentrate on our performances. If we perform as well as we did today then we won’t be far away from the mix at the end of the season.”

James comes up against one of his former clubs when Colchester United visit Brisbane Road this weekend but the midfielder insists there is no extra incentive heading into the clash.

He said: “We’re always looking to win games but we know how difficult the task will be. It doesn’t get any easier and we’ve got to stay grounded and make sure we’re ready to go on Saturday.

“I enjoy playing football and no matter who the opponent is we’ve got to go out and do the same job,” James added.