Richie Wellens sees positives in Leyton Orient's loss to Bolton

The O's were beaten 2-1 at home to Bolton Wanderers, Victor Adeboyejo scoring with his first touch after coming off the bench 15 minutes from time.

Earlier Dion Charles had opened the scoring before Orient equalised through Charlie Kelman before the break.

And Kelman was only denied another equaliser by a superb full-length save by keeper Nathan Baxter in the dying embers.

It was moments like that which left Wellens looking at the positives.

Leyton Orient manager Richie Wellens. Picture: PA (Image: PA)

He said: "It was a disappointing result but apart from that there were so many positives and we went toe-to-toe with them.

"They started the game better and scored with their first attack. I didn’t think it was possible their shot could go in but it took three or four bounces and went in off the post.

“We were aggressive, grew into the game and believed more.

"Their goalkeeper has pulled off an unbelievable save from Charlie Kelman, we’ve hit the bar and then Charlie should have scored where again the keeper has made a save but he should have gone near side.

"We certainly created better chances and had more shots on target. There were loads of positives.

"I think we have some of the best players in the league but I need the players to believe it.

"I’m pleased we were so competitive and it’s a credit to the football club and the players we matched them."

It took The Trotters just seven minutes to go ahead when Aaron Collins pulled the ball back into his fellow striker’s path and Charles squeezed the ball past O’s debutant keeper Zach Hemming.

It was after Zech Obiero crashed a shot from 22 yards against the crossbar, that the O’s sprung to life.

Kelman levelled after controlling a long pass out of defence from Dan Happe and drilling the ball low into the corner of the net.

Orient started the second half brightly with Kelman and Jordan Brown both went close but it was substitute Adeboyejo who settled the issue from six yards.

Bolton boss Ian Evatt admitted that his substitutes had a significant impact.

"I thought the last half hour, the guys we brought off the bench were terrific and put their bodies on the line," he said.

“Last season we played 60-odd games and had players at the end who were playing injured which was physically challenging but hopefully we have some lady luck on our side this season.

"But that was a really positive start.

“I think there were parts of the game we haven’t shown in the past. The resilience, the ability to find a way to win away from home and dig in by doing those ugly bits.

"Credit to Leyton Orient. They really put it on us and were aggressive with their press so there wasn’t space for us to play through but you need players to make those runs and enable the ball to stick up there.

“Nathan Baxter made a fantastic save and showed why, for me, he’s the best goalkeeper in the league.

"The most pleasing thing for me today was the way we have shown we can bring players off the bench and impact the game with speed."