Orient ‘must bounce back’
Leyton Orient's Chris Dagnall (left) is comforted by teammate Lloyd James after his saved penalty promotes Rotherham to the Sky Bet Championship (pic: Nigel French/EMPICS) - Credit: EMPICS Sport
James calls on team to learn from mistakes
Midfielder Lloyd James is urging Leyton Orient to use play-off heartbreak to their advantage and win promotion from League One next season.
The Welshman confidently stuck his penalty away in the shoot-out at Wembley, after their clash with Rotherham ended in a 2-2 draw.
But Mathieu Baudry and Chris Dagnall saw their spot kicks saved by Adam Collin to deny the O’s a place in the second tier of English football for the first time in 32 years.
James said: “Hopefully we can get promoted next season and rectify our mistakes.
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“We know what it feels like to come close. We’re going to enjoy our breaks and come back next season raring to go.”
James spoke to the media wearing a protective cast on his right foot.
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A bruised toe had been bothering him for a while, but was never going to keep him away from stepping out at Wembley.
The 26-year-old was at a loss to explain where Orient lost the game after leading 2-0 at half-time and being ahead in the penalty shoot-out.
Moses Odubajo and Dean Cox netted in the first half, before Alex Revell’s brace levelled matters.
And Jamie Jones saved from Lee Frecklington early in the shoot-out, before Baudry and Dagnall were denied.
“We’re gutted and disappointed,” added Jamies “We knew what a good chance we had, but full credit to Rotherham. They held their nerve on penalties and beat us.
“It’s hard to tell what could happen under that kind of pressure. Credit to the lads who stepped up. They were fantastic.”
He added that there was no blame placed on Baudry and Dagnall by their fellow players.
James said: “We’re a good bunch of lads and we’re all in it together. It could have been anyone who missed, but it was unlucky for the boys who did.”
