ORIENT manager Martin Ling is hoping to use Saturday's game at Crewe Alexandra as a springboard to leading his side away from relegation danger.

The O's secured back-to-back victories for the first time in two months when they prevailed at Colchester United last weekend and Ling wants that to continue against rock-bottom Crewe.

He said: "It's a hugely important game.  Everyone knows where that relegation lines stands - we're both below it.

"But we come into this game on the back of two victories and our confidence is a lot better than it was.

"We want to get out of the trouble we're in and Saturday's game is a massive one in trying to get away from the bottom four as quick as we can.

"It's no coincidence that the results have started to come since we've had a core of our players return - in terms of Tam and Thornton, as well as Parkin coming in - down the spine of our team.

"That core is now stronger than it was previously and we've got a focus to our attacks as well."

Orient have emerged victorious from their trips to Gresty Road for the last two seasons, and Ling believes another performance similar to that shown in recent weeks will have the same reward.

He added: "Crewe is a place we've done well at since coming back into this division, but we will only get the victory on Saturday if we play as we have done in the last two.

"The Hartlepool performance and the second half at Colchester was excellent.  The signs are good, but we need to get a proper run going now."

Ling will have virtually a fully-fit squad to choose from, with only long-term knee injury victim Wayne Gray absent.