Marvin Bartley believes Kevin Nugent deserved to get off the mark as interim boss for all the hard work he has put in at the club since taking the job.

Nugent picked up his first League 1 win on Tuesday night after a comfortable 2-0 victory at Doncaster Rovers and the O’s midfielder insists it is no more than he deserves.

Bartley said: “Nuge has worked very hard and is always the first in and last out so he deserves that. He’s worked extremely hard with us on the training pitch and Andy [Edwards] has stepped up and helped him.

“Training has improved and the tempo has improved so I’m delighted for Nuge and Andy because they deserve it.

“He’s been slightly unlucky in some games this season. Certain matches this season we’ve been performed better than last year but the only difference is we’ve lost rather than won them. I think we need to get on a bit of a run and then things start to fall for you. Nuge needed that I think.”

After reaching the play-off final last season and signing a host of proven Championship performers during the summer big things were expected from Orient this season. It has not materialised yet but Bartley hopes their midweek win can be the turning point and spark an upturn in form.

The 28-year-old said: “I think we need to go on a run now. I think there’s a bit of pressure on us to do well this season. Obviously we brought in some very good players and people expected us to push on from last season but it doesn’t work like that. You have to put the hard work in and we’re starting to do that now and we got our rewards today.”

It has been a stop-start time for Bartley at Brisbane Road with a series of injuries preventing him from showing fans his best form. But he is now fully fit and determined to hold down a place in the Orient midfield.

Bartley said: “It’s been a sticky one for me since coming on loan from Burnley and signing permanently. I’ve had my fair share of injuries with my hamstring. It feels right for the first time since I’ve been here. It’s not an excuse but I need some match fitness now.

“I was happy with my own performance today and a lot of credit to Joe Sharp [physio] because he’s worked very hard with me to get my hamstring right and Lee Southernwood [head of sports science] as well.

“It’s the same for everyone. If you perform you stay in otherwise you go out. I’m more than happy with that and obviously I want to play football. I’m 28 years of age now and the last couple of years of my career have been very slow. As long as I stay fit I want to play football.”