MARTIN LING was disappointed his team couldn't hang on for three points at Brighton on Saturday.

The O's looked set for the win when Jabo Ibehre nodded them in front near the end, but a last minute penalty from Nicky Forster sent the O's home with just a single point.

Ling said: "Having got our noses in front with only 10 minutes to go, it does feel like we've had two points nicked from our back pocket.

"They edged the first half and we edged the second, but it was disappointing not to see the job through.

"You can never say that a point isn't important, but I do feel that someone is going to have to grab those fifth and sixth places with gusto. The only way you're going to do that is by winning games."

Ling hailed the quality of the move that led to Ibehre's goal and praised the contribution of Glenn Morris on his recall to the team.

He continued: "Glenn Morris was outstanding and justified his conclusion and he also had a hand in the goal.

"He threw it out to Jason. He hit a good ball into Jabo, who tucked it away with a good header. It was a goal made in Leyton, by three players who have come through the system.

"Jabo's the forward on fire at the moment, and that's his sixth of the season despite him not playing many games.

"It was a good goal but a pity we couldn't hang on."

And while Ling may have been frustrated to go home with just a point, he had no complaints over Paul Melin's decision to award a penalty.

He added: "The penalty was the right decision. Adam Chambers got into a mix-up whether to head it or chest in, and in the end it's hit his arm.

"It was a definite penalty and I've got no complaints on that front."