Brisbane Road favourite discusses equaliser at Northampton Town and reveals who he thinks has been Orient’s player of the season
Dean Cox was thrilled his last gasp free kick earned Leyton Orient a point at Northampton Town after they struggled to beat home goalkeeper Adam Smith during a dominant second half display at Sixfields Stadium.
The 28-year-old scored his third goal of the campaign for Ian Hendon’s side in the seventh minute of stoppage time against the Cobblers.
It earned the O’s a point and a 1-1 draw, which was the least their performance deserved after creating half a dozen excellent chances in the second period.
Cox was delighted to score a second free kick of the season, after netting from a similar range against Dagenham & Redbridge.
He revealed the strike earlier in the campaign against Daggers, gave him the confidence he needed to score again at Northampton.
“I don’t know where that goal ranks, it was a bit similar to Dagenham. I guess with regard to importance it is more important than the Dagenham one because it has nicked us a point,” said Cox.
“I wouldn’t say it comes naturally because I haven’t done it for six years! I have little patches, but I am not one of those that stays a long time after training.
“But I try my best and I fancy myself. I have got the confidence after the one at Dagenham and I thought ‘you know what, I’m going to give it another go’ and fortunately for me it has gone in.”
Jay Simpson had enough chances on Saturday to score before Cox’s stunner, but unfortunately he couldn’t beat Northampton custodian Smith.
The former Arsenal man volleyed over the crossbar in the first half when he might have hit the target and was thwarted twice in the second period by the Cobblers goalkeeper.
Cox was quick to point out, however, that Simpson has probably been Orient’s best player so far this year with six goals already to his name.
“Although Jay has missed a couple at Northampton, for me since the start of the season he has been absolutely fantastic and my player of the season by a country mile so he can’t be too downbeat about his performance on Saturday,” added Cox.
“He is still getting chances and it would be a worry if he wasn’t and I think he’ll be firing again on Tuesday and Saturday.
“If Jay keeps getting those chances I have got every confidence he is going to score 20 goals this season, at least, because he is a fantastic player.
“We have Ollie Palmer as well and hopefully Paul McCallum is not out long because he has been in very good form so we need him back as quick as we can.”
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