New Leyton Orient signing Jamie Turley said the O’s “had the better chances in the game” but “didn’t execute it well enough” as their lead at the top of the National League was slimmed down to goal difference after a 2-0 loss away at Ebbsfleet.

Turley came on as a second-half substitute in the game to make his debut after signing, having left League Two side Notts County last week.

Speaking to the club’s website, he said: “It’s disappointing, obviously we did our research on them and how they wanted to play, we implemented that, we executed how we wanted to play but we just didn’t really execute it well enough.

“I think we had the better chances in the game but it comes down to both boxes and we weren’t ruthless enough really.”

The loss leaves Orient clinging precariously to their lead at the top of the table, while Ebbsfleet climbed to within two points of the play-offs.

It also leaves the O’s with just one win in their last five matches in the league, but the game was closer than the score reflected, according to Turley.

He said: “We had chances as well. I didn’t think there was much in it really. It wasn’t a great game to watch but goals change games and that was our own downfall really for the first goal.”

After going into the break down by a goal, Orient came out with a renewed confidence in the second half and had plenty of chances to draw level, begging the question of what Justin Edinburgh said at half-time.

Turley said: “I’ve only just come in but we’re used to winning games, there’s a winning mentality here. I think it’s come off the boil a bit in the last month so he just wanted us to get back to how we were and get a reaction.

“I think we did have the best chances but we have got to use this now to really kick on because we’re in a great position and we just need to be like ‘catch us if you can’, we don’t want to let other teams catch us from our own poor performances.”

Turley entered the fray on 67 minutes as part of a triple substitution to make his first appearance for the O’s and almost marked his debut with a goal.

He said: “I nearly scored with my first touch and I was a nuisance in their box but it’s not about that. It’s good to be a part but I just want to get us back to winning games of football.”

Orient’s first chance to get back to winning ways will be on Saturday when they take on Maidstone United at the Breyer Group Stadium.