On-loan Swansea ace frustrasted with Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Crawley Town

East London Advertiser: Crawley boss Dean Saunders and O's manager Fabio Liverani look on from the sidelines (pic: Simon O'Connor)Crawley boss Dean Saunders and O's manager Fabio Liverani look on from the sidelines (pic: Simon O'Connor) (Image: Simon O"Connor/TGSPHOTO c/o 27 Plaiters Way Braintree Essex)

Leyton Orient attacker Ryan Hedges felt his team deserved at least a point against Crawley Town on Saturday and was bitterly disappointed they suffered defeat.

The 19-year-old made his 11th appearance for the club at the Checkatrade.com Stadium in a fixture that was labelled as a “six-pointer.”

East London Advertiser: O's midfielder Josh Wright challenges Ryan Dickson of Crawley Town (pic: Simon O'Connor)O's midfielder Josh Wright challenges Ryan Dickson of Crawley Town (pic: Simon O'Connor) (Image: Simon O"Connor/TGSPHOTO c/o 27 Plaiters Way Braintree Essex)

But unfortunately it was Dean Saunders, and not Fabio Liverani and his players, that were celebrating at full time as Izale McLeod’s first half penalty proved the difference between the League One strugglers.

Hedges, on-loan from Premier League Swansea, felt O’s deserved more and was still pondering how Crawley keeper Lewis Price saved an effort from Darius Henderson midway through the first period.

East London Advertiser: Orient's Chris Dagnall fights for possession at Crawley (pic: Simon O'Connor)Orient's Chris Dagnall fights for possession at Crawley (pic: Simon O'Connor) (Image: 07958 573219 simon.oconnor@virgin.net)

“It was definitely a frustrating match and we did enough to take something from the game,” Hedges said.

“We definitely deserved a point. The wind played a part in not too many chances being created, but we had a few in the first half.

“There was a goalmouth scramble and I still don’t know how it didn’t go in. We had a number of chances in the first half and a few in the second as well.”

Hedges was denied by 39-year-old substitute keeper Brian Jensen late on as well as Orient, despite their best efforts, couldn’t break down the hosts.

The performance was encouraging against Crawley and the Welsh under-21 international believes O’s must remain confident in their battle to beat the drop with nine matches remaining.

“I had a header that I should have done better with and another I tried to flick towards goal,” added Hedges.

“I thought I could flick it on and I got a touch, but the keeper has managed to make the save.

“The performances are there we just need to grind out the results. It is still all to play for and in our own hands, so it’s not like we are waiting on other results.”