ORIENT fans found the answer to their prayers in Simon Church on Tuesday night, and now he wants to repeat his two-goal heroics against Geraint Williams' old club this weekend.

Twenty-year-old Church struck twice against Leeds United, as Orient came back from the dead to claim an unlikely point at a packed Matchroom Stadium.

It edges the O's, who beat Cheltenham Town 1-0 on Saturday, even closer to League One safety.

The double strike might have quelled some personal demons too, because the youngster has not reaped as many goals as his efforts have warranted during his loan spell at the club.

He said: "I've been wanting a tap-in all season and luckily it came. It shows the character of the team that we pulled through and got the point we needed.

"Colchester on Saturday is another game we need to win and the boss isn't going to think any differently."

Church is rated highly by loanee club Reading, who reserve the right to call him back into Championship action at 24 hours notice.

And it is an opinion shared by O's boss Geraint Williams, who drafted him in as Orient's 1,000th player soon after he arrived at Brisbane Road to replace Martin Ling.

"He's been working very hard and is now adding goals to that as well," Williams said. "We're thankful Reading have let us have him. He's a smashing lad and a pleasure to work with. We're trying to give him first-team experience and he's helping us with his efforts."

And the youngster's stock could go higher if he produces a similar performance for his boss when Colchester come to town this weekend.

Williams does not intend to let sentiment for the club he spent years at as a player and then as manager enter his thoughts ahead of the game, which could guarantee Orient's League One status.

"I've played against former clubs before and it's nothing new and nothing big for me. All it is is another chance for Leyton Orient to pick up three points."

The Welshman said he has never looked too far ahead when mulling over Orient's plight.

"All I've thought about since I've come here is winning football matches, and the rest will take care of itself.

"We're not bothered what the gap is down to the drop zone, we're just bothered that we have 49 points. It's great for us that we picked up another point to add to our tally, and we're looking to add another three on Saturday."

And this reluctance to make long-term plans extends to his own position.

When probed on whether he has sat down with want-away chairman Barry Hearn to discuss the sort of contract his results at Orient merit, Williams opted instead to praise members of the playing staff and assistant boss Kevin Nugent.

And praise was deserved after the Leeds clash. Orient were outplayed for two-thirds of the game by their promotion-chasing opponents, who were without their 24-goal hit-man Jermaine Beckford.

Former O's target Robert Snodgrass netted early in each half for the Yorkshire outfit.

His second came from the penalty spot on the hour mark, after Jason Demetriou was red-carded for using his hand to save Luciano Becchio's effort from crossing the line.

This seemed to galvanise Orient and they hit back in the 65th minute with a header by Church from Sean Thornton's free-kick.

Then, five minutes from time, Church tapped home Dean Morgan's square pass from close range.

Orient are also in action on Easter Monday, when they make the trip to Swindon Town, another relegation-threatened outfit.