David Mooney admits this weekend’s clash against former club Colchester United is a massive game in Orient’s season as both teams battle to avoid relegation.

The O’s are only outside the League One drop zone on goal difference and their local rivals have the chance to leapfrog them if they can win at home on Saturday.

Leyton Orient’s 2-0 home defeat to the U’s back in September prompted former manager Russell Slade’s admission his job was under threat. It was one of the low points of the season, as the hosts failed to break down ten-man Colchester, with Mooney insisting the team have a point to prove.

The Irish striker said: “I think it’s a massive game. Obviously it’s one of the matches where we got them down to ten men early on and never pushed home our advantage so we owe them one a bit. It’s going to be a tough game.

“I think Tony Hume is doing a good job there even though I know they’re still down near the bottom. They play a certain way and they bring through youth players so it’s going to be a tough game. Obviously they’re our closest opponents in distance as a local derby so hopefully it will be a good game and we can get the three points.”

Colchester have lost their last five league matches at the Weston Homes Community Stadium and Mooney hopes the O’s can repeat their victory at the start of last season in Essex, with so much at stake at the bottom.

Mooney said: “I scored twice against them last season as well so hopefully I can get on the scoresheet again this weekend. But the most important thing for us, as a group now, is to stay together and try to get another good result.”

The versatile forward adapted to a new role in Friday’s 2-2 draw at Preston where he played at the top of the diamond formation just off the strikers. Mooney looked comfortable in the role and made an impact after scoring an early goal to give Orient the lead.

He said: “I think I won a tackle in the middle which is a bit unlike me and then the space just opened up. The strikers made two good runs and they pulled their defence wide. I’ve been working on that in training because I had an idea we would be playing a diamond with me at the top of it. I’ve been working on shooting outside the box all week and thankfully that one’s gone in.

“I enjoyed playing a different position. It was important I had two front men up there and I think Kevin Lisbie and Dags (Chris Dagnall) helped me out a lot by making good runs and creating a bit of space. Obviously once or twice I’ve lost the ball in not great areas but if I keep playing there then I’ll only get better.”

It was a rare opportunity for the team to play on Friday night, in the televised clash, and the 30-year-old would relish the chance to have more matches at the start of the weekend.

He said: “I love Friday night football. Back in Ireland, most games are on a Friday night and I think it’s great for the crowd and creates a better atmosphere getting to play under the lights. If every week was a Friday night I think we’d all take it.”

It has been a turbulent first half of the campaign for Orient and Mooney also struggled with injury problems and form holding him back.

The striker said: “The first half of the season for me was absolutely terrible and an absolute write off.

“The first few weeks the place was in turmoil and no-one knew what was happening with Russell or upstairs. But I think now it’s important we’ve settled down with a new manager in and we know he’s going to be around. The most important thing is to stay focused because we’ve got really good players and some big players to come back into the squad as well. That’s only going to benefit us.”

Mooney added: “Last week would have been my first start for four months so from that point of view it’s been good to get back in. I’ve managed to get a few goals from off the bench and since I’ve come back I’ve done all right and felt a lot better and stronger. Personally it’s going well for myself and hopefully that can continue.”

Despite his optimism, Mooney has underlined the club still have to concentrate on climbing the table and cannot take anything for granted.

He warned: “Obviously we still have stuff to worry about and the quicker we can get out of the trouble we’re in the better.

“I think with the players we have coming back we’ve got a lot of big name players. Hopefully if they perform the way they have done throughout their career then we should be alright.”