WELLENS CALLS FOR CUTTING EDGE AS THE O’S PLAY-OFF HOPES FADE

By Leonard Doohan

LEYTON ORIENT 0

LEYTON ORIENT: Keeley 7, James 7 (Brown 53, 6), Cooper 7. Happe 7, Currte 7, Clare 7, Galbraith 7, Williams 7 (Donley 75, 6), Markanday 7, Agyel 6 (Kelman 67, 6), Abdulal 6 (Jalyesimi 75, 6). Subs not used: Phillips, Pratley, Beckles.

WIGAN ATH 0

WIGAN: Tickle 7, Carragher 7, Kerr 8, Almson 7, Robinson 7 (McManaman 88), Weir 6, McHugh 6 (Mellish 61, 6), Smith 7, Smith 6 (Asamoah 46, 6), Dale 7 (Sibbick 90), Taylor 6. Subs not used: Watson, Chambers, Hungbo.

Rating: ★★★★★ Ref: Scott Tallis 6/10

RICHIE Wellens stressed that his Leyton Orient side must improve their cutting edge in the final third after their clash with Wigan Athletic ended in a stalemate.

Visiting goalkeeper Sam Tickle made a series of crucial saves to frustrate the home side, who saw their fading play-off hopes suffer another setback.

“In every single aspect of the game we were far better than them, but the disappointment for us was we’ve had 16 shots and only three were on target,” Wellens rued.

“I thought our performance was good, but we’ve got to do better. We need individuals to be more explosive in the final third.

“If you look at our performance today compared to Tuesday at Burton it was much better. We were always in control. Our crowd was good and we’re ninth in the league, surrounded by Premier League clubs, so we’ll try and win our last six games – we just need to enjoy it.”

Orient had only won one of their last nine meetings with Wigan, and another game was added to that statistic as the teams fought out a goalless draw at Brisbane Road. An uninspiring, bland first half provided the easiest of afternoons for both goalkeepers, with neither having a single shot to save.

Tickle was the first to warm his hands when Orient upped their game after the break, tipping a rasping effort from Jack Currie over the bar, before he clawed away a shot from Randell Williams then turning over a well-struck drive from Dan Agyei.

The home side continued to dominate possession but lacked the guile to break down a resolute Latics defense, with Tickle ing solid in goal. remainning solid in goal.

The hosts’ best opportunity fell to substitute Diallang Jaiyesimi, but he got the ball stuck under his feet when meeting a cross from Dilan Markanday, allowing Tickle to snatch the ball.

At the opposite end, O’s shot-stopper Josh Keeley was a virtual onlooker and was only called into action deep into added time when he collected a corner from the visitors.

“It wasn’t pretty but you look at what Leyton Orient have done this year so taking a point was satisfactory when you look at the lads they had on the bench and who they could bring on,” said Wigan boss Ryan Lowe.

“My players battled hard today and I’m very pleased with them.”