ORIENT fought back from a poor first half display to lead against Carlisle, but were denied a win at the death. Swings and roundabouts, says captain Stephen Purches.

Stephen, an up and down game, what did you make of it?

"Well, the first 20 minutes were quite dead in regards to us. Before the game we were trying to make sure that didn't happen but the cup game obviously took it out of us a little bit, but we stuck in there and second half we put away the chances we had. Unfortunately if Scott had put away that last one he had for 3-1 it would have been a different story, but fair play to them, they kept going."

Would you have taken a point at half-time?

"Probably, but maybe not, because at half-time we really felt we could turn it round. That's the feeling we've got within the lads, there's belief there, unfortunately we did but couldn't hold on."

The first half display was pretty awful - did the gaffer give you a rollicking at the break?

"No, he just came in and said that he understood that everyone was tired and it's hard sometimes to get going, and just told us again exactly what we needed to do as he had done before the game, and we took it from there."

We had two penalty shouts in the second half, the first of which was given - which was the stronger one?

"I'd say the second one, the challenge on Jason, but maybe he didn't give it because he thought the first one was close too. But that's football, we didn't get it but maybe we'll another one during the season to make up for it."

Did the substitutions make a difference, Adrian Patulea linking up well with Scott McGleish in particular?

"I think so, they brought a few different ideas to the team, blended in well and got up quite a good bit of steam. It was a nice move for the second goal, and a quality finish from Scotty, and the third one he hit I think he thought was in but the keeper's made a great save in the end. But that's what Scott gives you, you put him in there and you fancy him to score."

At the other end, did you get a good view of that late stop from Glenn Morris?

"Cat's come in and made a great save there. It's important that you've got a keeper like that you can bring in, and he's proved his weight today - we're really pleased for him that he's come in and done well."

Overall then, a fair result?

"I think in the cold light of day it probably was. A point's disappointing but better than nothing."