The popular defender netted in the 3-2 defeat at home to Aldershot Town and is keen to get back to winning ways at Halifax Town

Leyton Orient defender George Elokobi has thanked the Brisbane Road faithful for the reception he received before Saturday’s clash with second-placed Aldershot Town in the National League.

The ex-Wolverhampton Wanderers left-back netted on his first home appearance since September 2, but it couldn’t prevent Justin Edinburgh’s side suffering a narrow 3-2 defeat.

When Elokobi’s name was read out before the game, it was followed by a loud cheer from the O’s supporters while Brisbane Road went crazy when he equalised in the 53rd minute.

Although the 31-year-old couldn’t stop Orient from losing against Aldershot, he is desperate to help them bounce back at Halifax Town tomorrow.

Elokobi said: “The reception meant a lot to me. I’ve waited the best part of four to five months to play in front of the fans at Brisbane Road.

“When we started the season we were doing really well and then of course the injuries happened to myself, Josh Coulson, Charlie Lee and Alex Lawless as well at the time, but we’ve all worked, or are still working, extremely hard to get back.

“To start with the reception I got just shows to me how much the fans do appreciate what I did for them before I got injured. To have scored the fantastic goal as well was amazing, so it is great to be back and I feel good and ready.

“My body feels fine and I feel stronger and hopefully I can keep building my fitness up and get more minutes and we can change the result at Halifax.”

Orient made the perfect start on Saturday with Macauley Bonne opening the scoring after 19 seconds.

Shamir Fenelon equalised for the visitors on the stroke of half time after running off Elokobi and onto a James Rowe pass before slotting past Dean Brill.

Will Evans soon made it 2-1 to Aldershot in the 47th minute when Adam McDonnell’s free kick hit the crossbar.

The O’s number five then produced a memorable moment five minutes later when he back heeled McAnuff’s corner past Lewis Ward from close range.

It sparked jubilant scenes in E10, but Aldershot had the last laugh when McDonnell’s low drive squirmed under the body of Brill in the 76th minute.

Elokobi added: “Aldershot are a good side, but at the same time we did have chances and if the game was decided on chances we would have been out of sight.

“We do need to give them credit because they’ve scored three goals and gone away with the three points.

“Obviously we are disappointed, but we will discuss how we can move forward and start with the Halifax game.”