The 33-year-old discussed Leyton Orient’s win at Concord Rangers and the competitiveness of the squad

Leyton Orient midfielder Alex Lawless believes Saturday’s pre-season win against Concord Rangers was good preparation for the new National League campaign.

The O’s were initially punished for a slow start at Thames Road as Billy Knott and Nana Boakye-Yiadom netted to put Sammy Moore’s Beach Boys two goals ahead.

Orient responded in style eventually though, as Macauley Bonne scored a brace and Josh Koroma came off the bench to grab a winner seven minutes from time.

Lawless, who completed his first 90 minutes since January 6 on Saturday, said: “It was good preparation for us.

“Although we would like everything to go great and to not concede goals and to start a bit better, it is about learning and making sure it happens as least frequently as possible when points are at stake.”

Last season Lawless struggled with injury problems and missed a number of games due to groin and hip issues.

It also resulted in the midfielder playing through the pain barrier on several occasions, but the 33-year-old downplayed this aspect when speaking after Saturday’s game at Concord.

He was eager to point out players up and down the country play with niggles in order to help their club.

“I think throughout the seasons once you are in the team a lot of lads do it, I wouldn’t say it is going through the pain barrier, that’s what you have got to do,” said Lawless.

“Teams all over the country and in our division will have that, but we have a great squad and it is competitive.”

O’s group last season wasn’t as strong and appeared bloated at times with players in the camp deemed not good enough for National League level.

Boss Justin Edinburgh has worked hard, alongside other staff members at the club, to put together this current group.

In the centre of midfield, Lawless will be competing with Charlie Lee, Craig Clay and Dale Gorman for a starting spot.

Jobi McAnuff is also more than capable of playing there so Orient look better placed to do well this season.

The next test for O’s is tonight when they travel to National League South outfit St Albans City.

After playing 90 minutes at the weekend, Lawless is expecting to sit this one out, but knows whatever side is selected by Edinburgh at Clarence Park will be strong.

He added: “We will see another side at St Albans now, but it will be competitive and that’s good.

“Any successful team I have come across in this division have all had competitiveness and hopefully that will be another reason why we will do well.”

Lawless is unlikely to feature this evening, but did his starting chances this season no harm on Saturday with a strong showing at Concord.