Full back believes they need to go on a strong run like League Two leaders Northampton Town

Leyton Orient defender Sean Clohessy is confident they can get back on a positive run of form when they make the trip to Portsmouth this weekend.

Kevin Nolan’s side will travel to Fratton Park aiming to take points off a direct rival in the battle for promotion.

They suffered a disappointing 3-1 loss at home to Cambridge United last weekend and now are keen to hit back.

It was only on Boxing Day when O’s and Pompey produced a five-goal thriller at Brisbane Road, but Clohessy admits that feels like an age away.

Even if it was only six weeks ago, lots has changed at Orient since the previous clash.

“It feels like a long time ago that previous win, they went down to 10 men quite early and it changed the game,” said vice-captain Clohessy.

“We all know they are a very good team and pass it well, they are organised and they have players that have played at a higher level.

“Portsmouth have a big budget and have brought a lot in, but when we played them at home I thought we matched them and as long as we do that again, we will have a chance.”

Pompey impressed at Brisbane Road, but it was Orient who picked up the points and they’ll be aiming to do the same again on Saturday to start a tough month positively.

The O’s have made no secret about what they are aiming to achieve this season – they want promotion and Nolan believes it is possible.

It seems their chances of returning to League One at the first time of asking have been boosted after Monday.

Orient were busy on the final day of the January transfer window, signing Nicky Hunt on a permanent deal, extending Calaum Jahraldo-Martin’s loan and bringing in another defender, Jerome Binnom-Williams, on loan from Premier League side Crystal Palace.

It gives the O’s boss what he wanted – competition all over the pitch at Brisbane Road.

The arrival of Hunt will have Clohessy looking over his shoulder, but he welcomes the addition of the full back.

Orient’s business in the transfer market has massively strengthened their chances of going up, but a lot could be decided this month.

Nolan takes his side to Portsmouth on Saturday, before hosting Northampton Town on February 13. They then travel to Notts County before Crawley Town visit Brisbane Road.

Orient can get positive results in each of those games and must target that now if they want promotion.

Clohessy added: “I think at the end of February, we’ll have around two months left, and if you are not in and around it by then, you have to win almost every game you have left.

“We have 17 matches now and we need to take points off the teams around us. I think we need to make sure we go on a good run and win over half of those games.

“If you look at other sides, like Northampton, they are winning every week so we need to go on a run like that now.”