The O’s head coach reflects on a tough first 45 at Brisbane Road, the performance of Lamar Reynolds and provides an update on Josh Coulson

Justin Edinburgh was left with mixed emotions after watching Leyton Orient and Boreham Wood play out a National League stalemate at Brisbane Road.

Luke Garrard’s visitors would have been frustrated not to open the scoring in the first half with Alex Davey, Bruno Andrade and Ricky Shakes all being denied by Dean Brill while Kieran Murtagh struck the crossbar.

Orient improved following the restart and went close through James Dayton and David Mooney, plus Macauley Bonne had a goal ruled out, but it finished goalless.

Edinburgh said: “We were up against it in the first half and never got a foothold in the game and looked stretched.

“Dean was called into action, but as the second half came I thought we were on the front foot, we grew into it and had the ascendancy and played the majority of football in their half.”

The key moment occurred in the 82nd minute when Boreham Wood goalkeeper Grant Smith wanted too much time on the ball and was closed down well by Mooney and lost possession.

The ball rolled perfectly for Bonne and he slotted home, but referee Samuel Allison disallowed the goal after deciding Mooney had fouled the visitors custodian.

“I am fortunate enough to view it again, which the referee isn’t able to do at the time, and once he views it again he will be disappointed he has disallowed the goal,” said Edinburgh.

“It’s another missed opportunity and key decision which has gone against us here at home.”

Edinburgh was, of course, referencing the red card shown to Bondz N’Gala in the fourth minute of the O’s last home match on December 30 (1-0 loss to Bromley).

A positive for the hosts was the 18-minute cameo of new addition Lamar Reynolds as the Newport County attacker looked lively.

The loan signing, formerly of Barking and Brentwood Town, had two decent efforts and may prove to be an astute signing.

“I thought Lamar looked lively and dangerous,” said Edinburgh. “He played off the front foot and he is an exciting prospect and one we are pleased to have here. I’m sure as the season progresses he will play a big part.”

Orient also brought in forward Dan Holman on a six-month loan from Cheltenham Town this week, but he remained an unused substitute.

Edinburgh added: “We need to be mindful of Dan because he hasn’t had a lot of football or training of late, but he will have a part to play as we go forward.”

A slightly more concerning piece of news is the fact Josh Coulson still hasn’t agreed a permanent transfer to Orient.

The centre back, on-loan from Cambridge United, has quickly become a favourite with the supporters at Brisbane Road.

It is understood Coulson is keen to make the switch permanent, but no deal has been reached with the U’s yet.

Edinburgh admitted he is desperate to get the transfer completed, adding: “No, Josh isn’t a Leyton Orient player yet on a permanent basis.

“I don’t know why, but hopefully something can happen and we want it to, we are just waiting to see if it can happen.

“He is huge for us and he’s a fantastic player and a great lad around the group so we would be very disappointed if we were to lose him, but we are trying to get it done.”