Nicky Hunt found the net for the first time since April 2012 to help O’s get back to winning ways in League Two
Alberto Cavasin felt Leyton Orient’s second goal at Colchester United thanks to an unlikely source was crucial to their 3-0 win in League Two.
Nicky Hunt cut inside and curled into the corner from 18-yards just two minutes into the second half.
It was only his third ever professional goal and helped the O’s settle even more and earn a comfortable victory.
“The first half was very balanced and we did well to score straight at the beginning of the second half to go 2-0 up,” said Cavasin via a translator.
“Everything seemed easier, but we had an opponent that always played at an equal level to us.
“If we take away the goals and it was 0-0, it was a result we could say was fair because Colchester created the same number of chances that we created.”
Saturday’s match was decided by Orient being clinical in front of goal with Simpson opening the scoring with their first effort on target.
Kurtis Guthrie had a great opportunity to equalise before the break, but side footed into the ground and over from close range.
Hunt curled home O’s second two minutes into the second half and Guthrie squandered another excellent chance.
Simpson wrapped up the result with a stunning strike in the 67th minute before Gavin Massey and Robbie Weir forced good saves from Colchester custodian Sam Walker.
Cavasin was pleased to see Orient defend free kicks and corners better at the rivals compared to recent weeks.
He added: “Set-pieces are something we’ve not just worked on this week, but since I arrived and we needed to put more strength to stop conceding from set-pieces. All of these little parts result in us not conceding.”
The 60-year-old Italian was also eager to insist the win at Colchester is just a starting point for the east Londoners.
Orient are out of the relegation places now, yet sit in 19th ahead of hosting Blackpool next weekend and know they must improve their form at Brisbane Road.
“We have talked about this in the changing room and clearly we were all happy with this victory over Colchester,” said Cavasin.
“For us it is liberating and very important, but we said already we need to think about Saturday’s match at home for the table and the fans.”
Blackpool warmed up for that clash with a 4-0 win over Notts County to move up to ninth in League Two.
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