ORIENT fans were left scratching their heads after failing to score against Crewe despite a hatful of second half chances.

Captain Stephen Purches was more concerned with the O's dismal first half display, however. He spoke to leytonorient.com after the game.

Stephen, 30 attempts on goal but nothing to show for it - have you ever never known a game like it?

"It was an interesting one. In the first half we weren't good enough, and we've been like that the last couple of games, but to make all those chances and not one to go in, it hurts. So we've had a good chat in the changing room and it's up to us to ensure that, in future, we start first halves like we start second halves. It makes a big difference, because then the crowd get behind you, and hopefully they can will one in for us."

Why were we so sluggish in the first half?

"We didn't close them down, but then we didn't get a chance to get close to them. It was one of those things that seems to be happening recently, and we've got to make sure it stops."

Did Martin read you the riot act at half time?

"It was really just the same as he's said the last three games. It's a bit of a routine we've been in recently and it's one we don't want to get into. We can't always score late goals, as we've proved here."

At what point did you think 'this isn't our day?' The header off the bar?

"No, I'm not like that personally, I always think you've got to keep going until the end, and we've shown that the last few weeks. We've scored a few last minute goals and obviously we were all hoping it would happen again, but it wasn't to be."

We've got some big home games coming up soon - do the players find it easier to get up for those games?

"I don't think so. We go out there with the same professionalism for every game, and wanting to do the right things, we've been like that all season. It hasn't gone to plan in the last three games, so we need to all get together and make sure we learn from it."

Stephen Purches was talking to Si Hawkins

LEYTON ORIENT	MATCH STATS	CREWE ALEX.
0	Goals	1
9	Shots On Target	2
10	Blocked Shots	4
11	Shots Off Target	3
9	Fouls Won	12
12	Fouls Conceded	9
1	Yellow Cards	0
0	Red Cards	0
8	Corners	8
0	Offsides	6

NELSON	KEEPER STATS	WILLIAMS
1	Saves	9
2	Catches	4
0	Punches	1
0	Drops	1

BRIAN SAAH	HEAD-2-HEAD	JULIEN BAUDET (59 mins played)
0	Goals	0
10	Headers Won	4
3	Tackles Won	1
0	Shots	0
7	Total Passes	3
57.1%	Completed Passes	66.6%
0	Fouls Won	0
1	Fouls Conceded	0