Brisbane Road boss talks about starting strong in tomorrow’s London derby at the Hive

Leyton Orient player-manager Kevin Nolan believes it is crucial his players start well at Barnet tomorrow (Saturday).

The O’s make the short trip to the Hive to take on their London rivals knowing a positive result is required.

It won’t be easy against the Bees, though, as they boast one of the best home records in League Two.

Orient haven’t won since March 19 and want to get back to winning ways to move up from ninth position.

Nolan said: “It will be a battle at Barnet, but you are not going to go anywhere in this league or any division in the country, whether it is Premier League or League Two, and get an easy game.

“The first half an hour is all every side talks about when you go away from home because you always say you need to silence the crowd in the opening 30 minutes.

“Sometimes it doesn’t happen. At York it didn’t and you can only warn the lads, but being out there it was difficult on Saturday.

“They were doing all the right things, getting there and it just seemed the ball was falling for them, but we managed to get that spark albeit after the goal.”

While Orient’s start at Bootham Crescent was slow, Nolan was quick to point out the chances they created in the first half last weekend.

Ollie Palmer had a header across the face of goal before Jobi McAnuff saw an effort deflected just wide.

The Jamaican international then fired a penalty against the post before referee Trevor Kettle blew for half time.

Lloyd James’ 75th minute strike got O’s back on level terms and Nolan believes they deserve a lot of credit for the spirit they showed.

He added: “It was the reaction I wanted and then we put York under a bit of pressure and had one across the goal, another saved and then hit the post from the penalty.

“When you look back at the first half I can’t remember Alex Cisak having too many saves, but us having a lot of good opportunities.

“I think sometimes you can get carried away with a poor start, but the players know about it and have been told.

“You have to sometimes give credit to the lads for what they’ve done and when you have lost two games on the spin it is hard.

“It is difficult to get that feeling back, it takes character and that is what the lads have shown on Saturday. I’m delighted with that, but gutted we couldn’t make one point into three.”

Orient will hope they don’t need to recover at Barnet and instead can start strongly at the Hive this weekend.