MARTIN LING believes Jabo Ibehre's last gasp equaliser against Southend will give Orient a massive boost as they head into the final third of the season.

The O's looked as if they were heading to a demoralising derby day defeat against their local rivals until Ibehre popped up at the death and Ling was delighted to take a point.

"It's a draw, but it almost feels like a win given the circumstances," he said. "They're right on our tails and we scored with the last kick of the game - and that's great for us.

"The second half was a lot better than the first. We didn't really ask enough questions in the first half, but that changed when we made the substitutions.

"I suppose we had four centre forwards out there, with two playing wide. That gave us more of a threat and it finally paid off.

"It's good to see Jabo on the scoresheet too, because he hasn't had a great season due to injuries.

"There's 16 games to go and if we can keep our front five fit, then I think there's goals within our strikers.

"But we do need all five to give us options and allow us to turn defeats into draws like today."

Ling felt Orient were slightly fortunate to be awarded a penalty for their first equaliser, but he was impressed with the character shown to come from behind twice.

He added: "I didn't think the referee was great, but I do think we had the rub of the green because Wayne Corden stopped one with his arm in the first half, and our penalty was a harsh one.

"It was disappointing to concede so soon after equalising, and that put a stop to a good head of steam that we had built up at that stage.

"But we showed good character to come back again, and the dressing room was a good place to be after the game, because pulling a point out of the fire like we have done today helps with the belief."