Former Wales under-21 international positive about finishing in top seven and wants to keep making an impact

Lloyd James was pleased with the way Leyton Orient fought back after a poor start at York City on Saturday in League Two.

The Minstermen were quick out of the blocks and took the lead when Bradley Fewster fired in from close range with 17 minutes on the clock.

Kevin Nolan’s men hadn’t got out of first gear by this point, but recovered and Jobi McAnuff failed to convert a penalty before half time.

It was only the introduction of James that helped O’s get back on level terms as he fired through a crowd of bodies in he 75th minute.

“We knew York would be fighting for their lives and you know it will be tough, but I thought they got a bit of fortune with the kick-off as they had a few ricochets,” said the former Wales under-21 international.

“It happens and we didn’t start great, but we managed to get back into the game well and I thought we did that well.”

Orient’s draw at Bootham Crescent was the first point they had picked up since March 19 after defeats against Accrington Stanley and Hartlepool United.

They’ve only dropped to eighth during that time, however, and are only outside of the top seven by one point.

When asked if it was disappointing that the east Londoners hadn’t managed to consolidate their place in the play-off positions, James added: “You can look at it as frustrating, but we are a point outside.

“Let’s not take a negative from a positive. We want to turn it around and make a negative a positive. We are only one point out and let’s look forward to making sure we can get in there.”

If Orient are to make the play-offs, you would imagine James will play a major part between now and the end of the campaign.

His cameo against Hartlepool was impressive, but on Saturday he took it to another level and was excellent at York.

The former Southampton youngster admitted he is doing his best to show why he deserves a starting place for O’s.

James added: “When you are on the bench obviously it is not nice, but you have to get your head down and work hard to try and get in the team.

“When you get your chance you have to try and take it. As soon as you get out on the pitch it is down to you to make an impact.

“It is nice to be having an impact and I’m working as hard as I can to get back into the side, but we have got a good squad of players.

“Obviously I knew when I come back from injury that it wouldn’t be easy, but I’m working really hard to get back into the team.”