Ollie Palmer dedicated the goal he scored in Leyton Orient’s 2-1 loss to his nine-year-old cousin Frankie who was diagnosed with cancer.

The 24-year-old wore a t-shirt saying “Get Well Soon Frankie” underneath his Orient jersey which he showed at full-time.

Goals from Cameron McGeehan and Danny Hylton sealed the three points for the Hatters before Palmer scored a consolation goal in the 79th minute.

“My family is going through a really hard time at the moment. It puts everything into perspective. He really has been put through the works at the moment,” said Palmer.

“He is only nine-years-old, he is in a wheelchair and has now been diagnosed with cancer, and it is a hard time for him and for the family. Everyone wants to support him.

“I just thought I’d do the tiniest bit on Saturday by showing my support and this is something I wanted to do and could do whilst I’m on the pitch.

“Every goal it score will be for him, stay positive and show we are all behind him.”

Palmer has been out of favour at the Os as he gained his first start on Saturday after making two substitute appearances against Barnet and Portsmouth.

And the former Mansfield striker admitted it has been a testing time.

He added: “It has been very frustrating, it is one thing not starting but not even getting off the bench, spending a month off the pitch it was really disappointing.

“I got my first start in the cup against Southend and had another couple of minutes somewhere else, it has been really frustrating I am not going to lie.

“As a football player and the manager has put a lot of faith in me. You saw me step up to take the free-kick on Saturday which you have probably not saw me do before but I have been working on them in training.

“I have been doing well and the manager has put his backing into me and I am glad to have repaid him with a goal against Luton.”

Orient have now gone seven games without a win as they have lost five and drawn twice as they make the trip to Hartlepool on Saturday.

Hartlepool have had their own run of trouble at home have failed to record a single win at Victoria Park in the 2016/17 season.

The forward said: “We need to get the three points and hopefully we will go up to Hartlepool and do just that.

“Hopefully we can put the pressure on them this time go up there and get the three points.”

In what is some good news for the Os captain Robbie Weir will be back from his three match ban following his red card against Plymouth Argyle in September.

Nigel Atangana also performed well in midfield and received the man of the match against Luton after he spent some time on the sidelines.

“Robbie is our captain so he is a very important part of the team. He is very good around the dressing room and on the training pitch, he is a very good professional.

“I know he has come out and said he has been disappointed with his performances but we all see what he does day in day out and we know what he is capable of.

“And if the fans could stay backing us and stay backing the players we really appreciate it and we will turn it around for them.”