ORIENT'S last home game before Christmas had a less-than festive ending, as a good performance was marred by two late MK Dons goals. Captain Stephen Purches talked it over with leytonorient.com.

Stephen, how did we come away with nothing from that game?

"Because in the second half we didn't keep doing what we were doing in the first half. Everyone came in at half time really pleased, and to be fair we started the second half well again, but then we were getting pressed back a little bit and turned away from what we were doing, and ended up letting them get back in the game, even though they didn't create that many clear-cut chances."

Should we have been out of sight by then?

"We've hit the post a couple of times, things like that, but it's about killing games off, whether that's scoring goals or defending a 1-0 lead. And we did neither."

Was the manager pretty annoyed afterwards?

"We're all annoyed. I'd say for 60 minutes or so we didn't let them get out or create any chances, and we only did that in the last 10 minutes, that's the disappointing thing. To be fair to them, they took their two goals well."

Were there mistakes made for their goals?

"It's hard to say at the moment, as we've just come off the pitch. I think they took both of their goals well, both side-footed in from 18 yards, so until we have a sit down and look at them it's hard to know."

So do you forget the result and focus on the performance, going into the festive period?

"You can't forget about the result, because as well as we did first half it was only for the first half, and if you want to do alright in this league then you need to put in a 90 minute performance. That's why everyone is so disappointed right now - if we do the right things we know we'll be in the right sort of position in the league. But concede a couple of goals like that, you end up losing and that's why we are where we are.

"We know, we've talked about it enough, if we can play like we did today we'll be ok, but it's putting it in for the full games. It's a vital period coming up now, and if you do well over Christmas then you're well involved."

The transfer window will soon be opening - do players worry that someone might arrive to take their place?

"You just want to play. If you're playing and doing alright, then that's all you can do and whatever happens happens. We've just got to go out there and put in some performances."

Stephen Purches was talking to Si Hawkins

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