Graham Alexander calls on Salford to see out victories

Posted Sunday, September 01, 2019 by PA

Salford manager Graham Alexander believes his side have to see out games properly after throwing away a lead for the third time in four games to earn Leyton Orient a 1-1 draw at the Peninsula Stadium.

Richie Towell netted his first goal for the Ammies before goalkeeper Chris Neal’s 87th-minute blunder salvaged a point for The O’s.

Alexander said: “We haven’t managed to see out a half when we are leading a game and it is something we have to do quickly.

“Towards the end of last season, we took the lead in 10 to 15 matches and didn’t relinquish it, so that is what we have to learn to do at this level.

“It is about game management and seeing out those last periods, both on and off the ball, and using our experience.

“From the first minute there were couple of decision which set the tone for the rest of the game and I didn’t know whether it was going to be a free-kick for us or them.

“If we hadn’t conceded late goals in the last few games we would have been six or seven points better off.

“I did think we deserved the three points today and the boys are working extremely hard, but they just have to add the nous where we can see games out.

Salford took the lead in the 13th minute when Orient’s defenders let Scott Wiseman’s throw-in bounce too long and Towell pounced to send the ball past goalkeeper Dean Brill.

The Orient stopper then tipped a Mani Dieseruvwe shot on to the crossbar before Salford thought they had doubled their advantage when Adam Rooney found the back of the net after goalkeeper Dean Brill spilled the ball, but it was ruled offside by referee Marc Edwards.

Orient went close a number of times in the second-half through Louis Dennis, captain Josh Coulson and Lee Angol.

And their pressure was rewarded as the clock ticked towards full time when James Brophy’s effort forced a mistake from Neal, who pushed the ball beyond his own goal line.

Orient interim head coach Ross Embleton said: “We deserved the goal in terms of how we performed in the second half.

“We were due that bit of luck.

“There was a lapse in concentration which let us down in the first half which I was disappointed with, but I didn’t want to go too mad with them at half time.

“We are small margins away from winning more games at the moment.

“I am delighted with a point and if people had said we would come to Salford and get a point, I think we would have been content with that.”