The O’s will hope to pass test against high-flying Oxford on Saturday

Kevin Nolan wants to see Leyton Orient get back on an unbeaten run starting this weekend, despite facing a tough trip to automatic promotion hopefuls Oxford United.

The O’s three-match run without a defeat ended on Saturday as Jack Marriott scored the only goal of the game for Luton Town at Brisbane Road.

Defeat saw the east Londoners drop out of the play-off positions and they do not have the easiest of tasks coming up.

The Yellows had been struggling for results in the early part of February, but have won three of their last four games to move up to second place in League Two.

Nevertheless, Orient are keen to bounce back and keep up their excellent away form under their new player-manager – they have not tasted defeat on the road since Nolan took over on January 21.

“Of course I want a reaction, but it will be tough at Oxford,” said Nolan.

“I’m a positive person and I told the players that I believe in the squad that we have worked with the chairman and backroom staff to build.

“I think we can still go on and get the momentum in the latter part of the season, but this defeat to Luton is a kick up the backside for us and we must go on now.”

The O’s boss challenged his side to improve on their best run of form under him - three matches without defeat.

He called on them to follow in the footsteps of Luton by winning four in a row to get them in form.

If they can do that, he feels they will improve in the final third and find everything becomes a bit easier.

Nolan added: “We have got to try and get as many points on the board between now and the end of the season.

“We need to go on a run, Luton have gone four on the spin winning and if you can do that in this league, at this time, it gives you that little bit of momentum and belief.

“It gives the lads confidence and then when they do get in the final third, you’ll see them putting the crosses into exactly where we need.

“I think that is what we’re lacking at the moment - that little bit of composure and quality as well as finesse when we get into the final third.”