Midfielder JJ Melligan feels Orient deserved victory against Premier League Stoke City last night (Wednesday).

The O’s lost the Carling Cup round two tie 1-0 in extra time.

Dave Kitson's 25-yard volley was the defining moment of a close-fought game.

Melligan said afterwards: “We feel we should have had a free kick just before they scored.

“I don’t remember them breaking us down at all in the 120 minutes, so we are obviously disappointed not to have got through to the next round.

“We were the better team on the night.”

He rued some of the decisions that referee Mike Russell made.

“It’s not for me to say, but it seems that teams higher up the leagues get these little decisions going their way, and it seemed like that for us tonight. We’re disappointed with that.”

“We were quite happy with the performance. I think we had more clear-cut chances than them.

“Andros (Townsend) had a great chance from six yards out. Jarv (Ryan Jarvis) did, and so did I. Their keeper pulled off a lot of saves.”

Melligan said that Orient will look to carry the display into Saturday’s game against Carlisle.

O’s boss Geraint Williams will be seeking a first home win of the season there.

“The gaffer said that if we play like that against Carlisle, we’ll beat them. We’ve just got to be consistent now.

“Teams come here and shut us down, they play five in midfield, block things up, and don’t let us play. They know if they don’t do that we’ll go straight through them.

“It’s boring, basically.”

The Irishman has started the season strongly, and said he just wants to keep playing.

“I’m reasonably happy with myself. I still think there’s more to come. I just have to keep plugging away and keep myself in the team.”