Justin Edinburgh praised the battling spirit which allowed his Leyton Orient side to secure a draw against Dagenham & Redbridge on New Year’s Day.

The O’s held their hosts to a goalless stalemate and could even have come away from the game with all three points, but for some fine goalkeeping by Mark Cousins.

Orient have taken 10 points from Edinburgh’s six National League games in charge and have moved eight points clear of the drop zone by virtue of Monday’s draw.

Edinburgh believes the fighting qualities shown at Victoria Road provides evidence of Orient’s improving qualities under his leadership and was pleased with his side’s efforts.

“I thought they were fantastic and before I arrived here I don’t think we would have got anything from today’s game,” Edinburgh said.

“We dig deep and we have a togetherness now, a real belief and did the ugly side of the game really well. We had good phases in the game and started really well in the first and second half.

“Credit to my players, I couldn’t have asked for more today.”

The draw was made all the more impressive by the fitness levels shown by Orient as they competed throughout just 48 hours after a 1-0 defeat to Bromley.

A red card for Bondz N’Gala in Orient’s final game of 2017, a 1-0 defeat, meant they played nearly 90 minutes with 10 men.

Edinburgh made just two changes from the XI which started against Bromley and was, therefore, impressed with the stamina shown by his players in a game he felt Orient had the better of.

“We played 86 minutes, maybe more, with 10 men two days ago and you wouldn’t have noticed that today, so credit to the players,” he said.

“It was a really tough encounter with two teams playing flat out for the victory, but with both defences on top really.

“There were not a lot of chances but I felt we just edged it. I do not know if we have done enough to win the game and it was likewise for Dagenham.

“The keeper has made a fantastic save from Moons and if we got that goal we would have the momentum to go on and win the game.

“To leave here with a clean sheet and another point is relatively pleasing.”

Edinburgh was forced to leave Jobi McAnuff out after he picked up an injury in the defeat to Bromley.

McAnuff’s problem led to Josh Koroma being handed a first start under Edinburgh and the youngster produced a number of bright moments.

The O’s boss was pleased with what he saw and also gave an update on McAnuff’s injury, which he hopes will not keep the midfielder out for too long.

“Jobi picked up the injury in the second half against Bromley and we took him off in the hope that he might recover for today,” he said.

“It wasn’t to be but credit to Josh Koroma, it was his first game for me and he has come in, was disciplined in his performance and a threat in spells.

“I am pleased for Josh and it was good to see him play.”

Orient will hope to build on Monday’s draw when they take on play-off chasing Boreham Wood at Brisbane Road.

Victory could take the O’s up to 14th in the table dependant on results elsewhere, but it will be no easy task, with Wood sitting a place outside the top seven.

Luke Garrard’s side condemned Orient to a 2-0 defeat when the sides last met in September and have lost just once in their last five league games.