Saunders sets points target

Dean Saunders believes Crawley need seven more points to survive after clinching a third straight win with a 1-0 over Leyton Orient.

Skipper Izale McLeod took the Red Devils out of the bottom four for the first time since early January with a first-half penalty to leave Orient with only one win from their last five matches. McLeod kept his cool to fire his 18th goal of the season from the spot after being brought down by defender Luke O'Neill. Saunders has felt for a while that 50 points should be enough to stay up and he said: "With eight games left we have a chance of getting out of it completely. That will take the pressure off the boys. "I would like to think that 50 points will be enough. This is a really good result against a team who, I feel, won't be in the bottom four at the end of the season. "It is a boost for everyone and at the same time we've caused a bit of damage to Orient down at the bottom." Saunders was delighted to follow up two 3-2 victories over Colchester and Port Vale with another win inside a week, but is quick to warn that his side is not "out of trouble". He added :"We face Gillingham at home next Saturday and are not out of trouble. "But it's great to take nine points in a week with the same 11 players apart from keeper Brian Jensen, who came on for the second half because Lewis Price had concussion." Orient boss Fabio Liverani promised fans that his side would "fight to the last game" following this damaging defeat at the Checkatrade.com stadium. Liverani was critical of giving away a "gift" of a goal, but is encouraged that the team are creating enough chances to win games. The Italian, speaking through an interpreter said: "I can assure our supporters that the team will fight to the last game to avoid relegation. "We lacked a bit of quality and the goal was a gift to them, but we created enough chances to equalise and we deserved at least a draw." Liverani, Orient's fourth boss this season, said his men will be going flat out to win at home to Port Vale next Saturday. He added: "We have nine finals left after this and Port Vale is the first one. It is a game when we hope for three points." Liverani felt fans unjustly booed striker Darius Henderson when he was taken off to be replaced by Jay Simpson with 21 minutes left. The Italian thought it was an unfair reaction and said: "He is coming back from injury and it is difficult to play with the same level of intensity. "I respect the supporters opinion, but he is an important player for us."