I’ll lift Leyton Orient players after Cheltenham Town defeat insists O’s manager Danny Webb

Brisbane Road boss conceded the 1-0 defeat felt gut-wrenching, but the east Londoners are still only three points from safety

Leyton Orient manager Danny Webb admitted it will be difficult to life the players after going down 1-0 to Cheltenham Town this afternoon in League Two.

Carl Winchester scored the only goal of the game at Brisbane Road in the 21st minute and it proved to be a decisive strike.

Orient created a number of chances and Callum Kennedy had a second half spot-kick saved, but they couldn’t force an equaliser.

“It’s going to be more difficult than it has been after previous games to lift the players because after Notts County there was a real buzz in the dressing room and they were all looking forward to this game,” said Webb.

“The Cheltenham match arrived and we missed the chance to get a point out of it and as human beings, it is a bit gut-wrenching.

“You have to react, I don’t expect the players to be laughing and joking and we’ll see what they are like come Monday. They won’t have a big spring in their step, so I’ll have to lift them as best I can.”

In O’s recent home defeats to Carlisle United, Morecambe and Notts County, there was still a sense of belief.

Orient performed excellently in all three games, but never hit the same heights at home to Cheltenham today.

Nigel Atangana missed a string of first half chances and Josh Koroma blazed over from a good position, but the Robins always looked threatening.

Cheltenham started the second period brightly too before O’s Gavin Massey went down after being tripped inside the area.

Kennedy stepped up, after insisting to McCallum he wanted the penalty, but saw his spot-kick saved by Brown.

Orient created a couple of chances afterwards, but Gary Johnson’s team held on and are now six points clear of the east Londoners in the table.

The O’s are only a win from safety with Hartlepool United losing again today, but need a result at Stevenage on Tuesday night.

Webb added: “The form, in terms of performances, has been good at home, so we go Stevenage now and they won again.

“They are up near the play-offs, so it is going to be an extremely tough game and it’s followed by Newport away.

“But I signed up to this, I knew what it was going to be about and it is tough. The players are feeling it. They are feeling the pain.

“I know the supporters are frustrated, but as I always say, regardless of the back-to-back defeats, we’ll go to Stevenage and try to get a result.”

Orient may be without Tom Parkes for Tuesday’s match after he was forced off at half time today.

The central defender battled bravely during the first 45 despite struggling with a badly bruising hip.

He was eventually replaced by youngster Michael Clark, who looked very assured on his senior debut.

“Tom was fit to start and even after 20 minutes he said he felt fine, but I was aware if he got a whack on it, then it could reoccur,” said Webb.

“I did tell Michael Clark to be ready even after a minute, but ‘Parkesy’ got through until half time and then I was able to speak to ‘Clarky’ about this role.”

Orient remain 23rd after their 14th defeat of the campaign at home and will look to respond on Tuesday night.