ORIENT boss Geraint Williams is determined that Saturday’s first home win of the season against close rivals Millwall will act as the catalyst for an improved run of form at Brisbane Road, rather than a temporary respite from the pressure that had started to build ahead of the match.

The O’s headed into the contest winless in seven league matches, while talk of a home hex refused to go away after five games without a win at the Matchroom Stadium this season.

However, a stunning second-half strike from substitute Andros Townsend lifted the gloom that had threatened to engulf Brisbane Road, and Williams can now see light at the end of the tunnel.

“Of course it’s good (to get the monkey off our backs). The longer it goes on, whether it be any bad run, you want to get it over with as quick as possible,” he said. “We’ve come close the last two home games and we felt we’ve left points out on our pitch. On Saturday, we got all three and we’re delighted. Now we’ve got to build on it, not just be satisfied with this.”

The manager was pleased with the fight his players showed in the heat of battle, but the game was ultimately settled by a moment of class from a young man desperate to stake his claim for a regular place in the starting XI.

Winger Jason Demetriou was replaced by Townsend after a nasty clash with Millwall’s Chris Hackett left him needing stitches to a head wound.

And the 18-year-old, on loan from Tottenham, took little over a minute to make his mark. JJ Melligan’s cross was flicked on by James Scowcroft, and the ball fell for Townsend, who took one touch before rifling a left-footed volley into the far corner.

“We see that every day in training,” said Williams afterwards. “He’s very direct, very pacy and he loves to get at people. It was an easy decision to throw him on.”

After several weeks of negative headlines, with injuries and bad results beginning to rack up, it was a game full of pluses for Williams, including a clean sheet – Orient’s first of the campaign.

“We defended very well as a team, that’s massive for the defenders and the goalie, because we’ve gone so many games without a clean sheet and they take it personally, which is only right and fair. So I’m delighted for the back four and Jonesy.”

There was even room for one more positive, as Luke Summerfield made an impressive debut at the heart of the midfield after completing his one-month loan move from Championship strugglers Plymouth Argyle last week.

“He’s got a fantastic attitude,” Williams said of his new acquisition. “He’s one of those young men that just wants to come and play football.”