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Liverani dreaming of survival

Image: Fabio Liverani: Delighted with the result

Fabio Liverani saw Leyton Orient collect only their second win in six as they beat Port Vale 3-1 to boost their survival hopes.

Ahead of the match, Liverani had urged his players to collect 14 points from their remaining nine games to ensure safety and they made the perfect start towards the target. The visitors had been in control up until the break with a one-goal lead through Chris Birchall and it might have been more but for two outstanding saves by keeper Alex Cisak and a goal-line clearance by Gary Sawyer However, the game turned when Vale keeper Chris Neal was shown the red card after bringing down Chris Dagnall in the box. David Mooney stroked his spot-kick past replacement keeper Sam Johnson and an own goal from Neil Collins just after the hour and a strike from Dean Cox gave the home side three welcome points. "I was delighted with the performance of the players in the second half," Liverani stated. "Their reaction was very different and, of course, episodes play a very important role in football matches. We had a good episode with the penalty and it turned the game. "Their goalkeeper had to be sent off because Chris Dagnall had gone around him before being pulled down and he was denied a clear goal-scoring opportunity. "Dean Cox scored an amazing goal and we all know the ability and the technical quality he has and when he is fully fit, he can be a very influential player for us in the rest of the season. "Although the game changed when Port Vale had a player sent off, I don't think you could say we were lucky. Dagnall was unlucky in the match because he hit the post three times so we look at all the episodes in the game. "I think the relegation issue could be decided in the last game of the season and whoever is going to be more determined and more hungry to win games is going to be the team to avoid relegation." Mooney squandered a second penalty when his effort was saved by Johnson but Vale's fourth defeat in a row draws them into the relegation battle. Valiants boss Rob Page was disappointed that his side could not add a second goal before the break. "We started well, got the goal and there was only one team in it on that first half," he said. "The crowd were getting on their backs and it was important that we went on and got a second goal. "I think that when the opposition is on the back foot and lacking confidence like they were, you need to strike and get a second goal. "Then just after half-time we made a wrong decision and give a penalty away. Whether it was a sending off because he was going away from goal, I don't know. But from then on, we had our back to the wall. "The frustrating thing is that we said at half-time that if we limit the mistakes and play in their half, we'd be okay. We were one-nil up and had enjoyed the majority of the play and were on top but once they scored from the penalty and we were down to 10 men we had to alter our shape and play 4-3-2. So it was a frustrating afternoon." There was a bizarre announcement at the interval. Striker Darius Henderson had been delayed in traffic and although named on the bench, did not arrive until just before half-time. The matchday announcer made a formal announcement on behalf of president, Francesco Becchetti, saying that he was sorry that the player could not have been here for the start. Asked to comment on Henderson's late arrival, Liverani said: "I didn't hear the president's announcement myself and so I cannot comment about that. "Henderson was caught up in a bad road accident that involved him for hours so he could not get here any earlier but I'm not concerned about that because we have a wide squad of players. "Of course I was disappointed he was late but it was not his fault and at this stage of the season, I think we should all keep together."

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