The O’s bounced back to winning ways with a convincing 1-0 home win against luckless Hartlepool United.

Ryan Brunt popped up in the 47th minute to score his third goal of the season when he was left unmarked to head the ball home from a teasing cross from Moses Odubajo.

The game was largely a one-sided affair, with only Pool’s Steve Howard’s header coming close, hitting our crossbar following a Ritchie Humphreys corner before being scrambled away to safety.

That was our only scare as the O’s continued to create chances and made keeper Scott Flinders work hard as he twice denied both Odubajo and Dean Cox. He also made an outstanding save from Jimmy Smith, whose shot was a belter.

But it was Odubajo who was my man-of-the-match.

He played his cotton socks off, bless him, with a dazzling display which proved to be a constant thorn in the Pool’s side, troubling them with pace and turning past defenders with ease.

He set up a string of chances for his forwards but it was not until after the break that Brunt found a way past the visitors’ overworked keeper.

It leaves Hartlepool without a win in ten games. It isn’t nice but when they’re down you must take full advantage.

It was a contrasting performance from our two minutes of madness on the coast at Bournemouth where we let in two goals in two minutes.

It’s the sign of a good side to come back after a defeat and it’s a credit to both the players and Russell Slade for turning it around with a good display.

Up the O’s