Boss Richie Wellens praised Leyton Orient’s second-half display as his side came from behind to clinch a 3-1 win at relegation-threatened Crawley to boost their play-off challenge.
Two quick-fire goals from Charlie Kelman turned the game around after Armando Quitirna had given Crawley a 49th-minute lead from the penalty spot.
Jamie Donley added the O’s third goal in stoppage time as they climbed to seventh, three points short of the play-off places.
Wellens admitted his side’s second half performance was key and said:” First half we tried to be aggressive but kidded ourselves; Crawley can cause you problems.
“I got into them because we had to be more aggressive.”
Kelman now boasts eight goals in seven games and 23 for the season in all competitions, and his second goal came from the spot after debutant keeper Luke Hutchinson was adjudged to have fouled Dilan Markanday.
Wellens added: “That’s our first penalty in the league this season and I think we can do more stuff to get more penalties.”
Orient have moved up thanks to a fifth win in seven games, but Wellens insists it is a case of being completely focused and said:”We’re just concentrating on Barnsley at home next.”
Crawley remain six points from safety after suffering an eighth defeat in 11 games and boss Scott Lindsey blamed “ a mad two minutes”.
Having taken the lead, Lindsey was dismayed with the manner of the goals conceded and said:” It was a bit of a calamity at the back and we never recovered.
“We lost the game in 90 seconds of the second half; we didn’t defend a ball down the middle and then we’re slow in the action from the kick-off.”
Lindsey admitted he did not see enough character after that, and added:” I want to see character because we are in a relegation battle playing against a really good side who are trying to get into the play-offs.
“We didn’t show enough character but we’ll fight on. This is a special club in many ways and we were competing against Orient who are bigger.
“We can’t crumble after we give a goal away. I’m trying to make a difference but we need to show character from the first minute to the last.”
