CRAIG EASTON returned to the Orient side after six weeks out with niggly hamstring and groin injuries at Oldham on Saturday, and although the Scottish midfielder was delighted to make his comeback, he admitted he would have been happier with all three points.

Orient threw away a golden chance to pick up their first away win of the season at one of the division's in-form clubs, and Easton knows that they will have to tighten up if they are to continue turning the corner.

"It should have been three points and it felt more like a defeat after the game," he said.

"We played really well for 75 minutes and it was probably one of the best performances we've put in since I've been here. I know it sounds weird saying that after a game in which we've lost three goals and drawn three each, but for the first three-quarters of the game it was the case.

"We controlled the game in general and we didn't look in any real danger, but we probably went too deep as we got close to the end and they put a lot of balls into the box.

"They've ended up scoring two free headers and we've got to defend better than that."

Despite their late collapse, Easton felt he saw signs of Orient's form from last season returning, and he insisted that a continuation of that would see them move away from the foot of League One.

He continued: "Our success away from home came from fighting for each other, working hard and keeping hold of the ball. We were back to doing that really well in the first half and for most of the second at Oldham.

"We created a number of chances for the strikers which hasn't been happening recently, but it's clear we've still got to brush up on our basic defending.

"I'm disappointed at the way the result's gone, but it was brilliant to get out on the pitch again.

"It was good to get back in training last week after six weeks out, but it would have been better if we could have seen it out for a win on Saturday.

"But I think if we continue to play like that and tighten up, we'll begin to climb the table."