Nolan absolves Jobi McAnuff of any blame after failing to score penalty at York and reveals positive news regarding Sam Sargeant

East London Advertiser: Leyton Orient midfielder Jobi McAnuff looks to get past his York City opponent (pic: Simon O'Connor).Leyton Orient midfielder Jobi McAnuff looks to get past his York City opponent (pic: Simon O'Connor). (Image: Simon O'Connor Photography)

Leyton Orient player-manager Kevin Nolan admits he is concerned about the lack of goals his team are scoring following Saturday’s 1-1 draw with York City.

The O’s managed to claim a point at Bootham Crescent after Lloyd James come off the bench to score 15 minutes from time.

It cancelled out Bradley Fewster’s 17th minute opener for the Minstermen, but the east Londoners have only scored 13 times in 14 matches under the former West Ham United captain.

The likes of Jay Simpson, Ollie Palmer and Armand Gnanduillet were sharing the load in Nolan’s first couple of months.

But the last to score out of the trio was Palmer against Carlisle United on March 1 – a game in which Simpson also netted.

“I’m worried about the lack of goals for me, for Jay, Ollie, Gnanduillet and everyone - it doesn’t matter where they come from we just need to start scoring goals,” said Nolan.

“But it is not like we aren’t getting the opportunities. If we continue to keep doing what we’ve done at York in the second half, I’m more than confident we can get the results we need to keep pushing and try to get in those play-offs spots.”

Orient did have plenty of chances to score more than once against the Minstermen with Jobi McAnuff hitting the post with a first half penalty.

Peter Ramage and McAnuff forced York goalkeeper Scott Flinders to make two fine saves while Simpson and Nolan both nearly scored as well.

The O’s player-manager absolved the Jamaican international of any blame too after he failed to convert his spot-kick at Bootham Crescent.

Nolan added: “Jay said after Morecambe he wasn’t going to take them because he has missed three already this season. I thought Jobi would be the man to put it in.

“We will discuss it this week to see who is going to be on the next one or if Jobi will still be on it.

“It is not something I’m really worried about at the moment and it is a team thing. No matter what, whoever misses the penalty, we’ve had enough opportunities to get us the result.”

After the match against York, Nolan revealed goalkeeper Charlie Grainger is likely to miss the rest of the season.

The 19-year-old had surgery on a fractured scaphoid last month and won’t feature before the end of the campaign.

Fellow young stopper Sam Sargeant is back fit again, though, and that will result in Crystal Palace goalkeeper David Gregory returning to his parent club when his 28-day loan expires this week.

“Charlie we probably won’t see before the end of the season, but ‘Sarg’ is in and around us now,” revealed Nolan. “He is likely to feature in the reserve game during the week so that is another good thing for us.”

Orient are set to face Cambridge United tomorrow in the ‘Final Third’ Development League. The match will kick-off at a 1pm and numerous first team players are set to be involved.