Brisbane Road manager reflects on point at Mansfield, his squad and another strong defensive display

East London Advertiser: Leyton Orient forward Jay Simpson heads in Jobi McAnuff's cross to put his side ahead at Mansfield Town (pic: Simon O'Connor).Leyton Orient forward Jay Simpson heads in Jobi McAnuff's cross to put his side ahead at Mansfield Town (pic: Simon O'Connor). (Image: 07958 573219 simon.oconnor@virgin.net)

Leyton Orient head coach Ian Hendon was pleased with the battling qualities his side showed at Mansfield Town on Saturday.

Jay Simpson put the visitors ahead at Field Mill after 12 minutes, but Reggie Lambe equalised for the Stags just before the break.

It was a poor goal to concede with Sean Clohessy losing his man and goalkeeper Alex Cisak unsighted.

But the east Londoners did well to withstand a lot of pressure from the hosts, who had the crowd roaring them on.

Orient defended well and picked up another point to extend their unbeaten run to five matches.

East London Advertiser: Leyton Orient forward Jay Simpson is congratulated after scoring his 16th of the season against Mansfield Town (pic: Simon O'Connor).Leyton Orient forward Jay Simpson is congratulated after scoring his 16th of the season against Mansfield Town (pic: Simon O'Connor). (Image: Simon O'Connor Photography)

Hendon said: “I think what we have got is an honest group of players that are battling hard.

“It would have been easy to come to Mansfield and lay down, especially once they got the equaliser, but the players didn’t.

“They kept going and showed their battling qualities, which as a manager you need your team to have.”

Although the Stags enjoyed a lot of possession in the second half, they didn’t trouble Cisak on too many occasions.

East London Advertiser: The rain falls at Mansfield Town's Field Mill Stadium (pic: Simon O'Connor).The rain falls at Mansfield Town's Field Mill Stadium (pic: Simon O'Connor). (Image: 07958 573219 simon.oconnor@virgin.net)

Krystian Pearce did have a header that hit the post in the 64th minute, but chances were few and far between for either team.

Hendon was pleased with the defensive display of his side and felt it was similar to how they performed against AFC Wimbledon on November 28.

He added: “We had a similar defensive performance at home to Wimbledon, albeit we had 10 men, but they put the ball in the box and were very direct in the second half and had lots of set plays.

“The lads held strong against Mansfield and we tried to change it and put some legs on up top and affect the game that way, but in the end it was a fair result for both sides.”

It was encouraging to see the O’s field such a strong bench at Field Mill after including a number of youngsters against Scunthorpe in the FA Cup on December 5.

East London Advertiser: Leyton Orient captain Mathieu Baudry challenges for the ball against Mansfield Town (pic: Simon O'Connor).Leyton Orient captain Mathieu Baudry challenges for the ball against Mansfield Town (pic: Simon O'Connor). (Image: 07958 573219 simon.oconnor@virgin.net)

This weekend the likes of Ollie Palmer, Bradley Pritchard and Connor Essam – all starters back in October – were included among the replacements.

Hendon said: “I think last week against Scunthorpe we had 13 senior players to choose from and we filled the bench with young lads.

“Victor Adeboyejo, one of them, actually came on and did very well, but we want the nucleus of our main player available and they are coming back slowly.”