Brisbane Road head coach praises Peterborough United midfielder, talks about Orient’s formation and youngster Scott Kashket

Leyton Orient boss Ian Hendon was full of praise for midfielder Jack Payne after his half time introduction helped change their League Two match with Oxford United at Brisbane Road.

The O’s had left the field at the break to boos as they trailed by two goals after a Kemar Roofe effort and a deflected strike by John Lundstram put the Yellows in control.

But Payne entered the fray alongside Ollie Palmer, with Blair Turgott and Dean Cox making way, and it enabled the east Londoners to get back into the game.

They changed their formation and Payne, on-loan from Peterborough, started getting on the ball and making Orient play.

Palmer was a key physical presence as well and he played a part in Jay Simpson’s first and Scott Kashket’s equaliser as Hendon’s side pegged Oxford back to earn a 2-2 draw.

“It wasn’t a rant and a rave at half time from me, I don’t think that at times is the right thing to do. It was more we are changing our shape, we are going to do this and play a little bit more,” said the Orient head coach.

“We wanted to get on the ball because we didn’t create one chance in the first half. Oxford played 4-4-2 better than we did but we spoke about it at the break and said let’s get on the ball, let’s get passing.

“I thought Jack Payne was excellent when he came on. He controlled the game and Ollie Palmer as well, the big man, did what he was asked to do.”

The thrilling clash at Brisbane Road certainly was a game of two halves and although Orient started with a 4-4-2 formation, it didn’t work.

Oxford were compact and enjoyed lots of possession in the first period, but Hendon was pleased the O’s were able to get back into the conest.

He wasn’t happy with the goals they conceded however, adding: “It was definitely a game of two halves. We changed our shape and it obviously didn’t work.

“What we have been doing and how we have been playing in games, creating chances with the so called diamond, as people want to word it, does work because we do create chances.

“Today we conceded and it was nothing to do with the shape, just poor goals. The second one is a bit lucky with the deflection and the first one we don’t go out and shut the ball down quick enough for me.

“It was two soft goals again, but second half we went back to the three in midfield, took both wingers off and we got a performance.”

Orient had to wait until the first minute of stoppage time to equalise when Kashket riffled into the corner after another Palmer knockdown.

It was the 19-year-old’s first goal for the club and Hendon praised his attitude afterwards, adding: “Scott has had to be patient.

“He sits on the bench and is travelling everywhere with us. He is learning and to be fair to him he is the last one out on the training ground and wants to learn and listen so I am delighted for him to come on and score today.”