Sweeney: Hopefully Leyton Orient can nip title race in bud

Richie Wellens’ side ended a run of four successive draws with a 1-0 victory over fellow promotion hopefuls Carlisle United at the weekend, thanks to a 73rd-minute own goal from Jon Mellish.

But O’s saw Charlie Kelman sent off for two bookable offences soon after making the breakthrough and had to survive a late scare with only 10 men to secure all three points.

Omar Beckles cleared a Mellish effort off the line and the home side had to get through six minutes of stoppage time in front of a crowd of 8,713 before enjoying some wild celebrations.

Having let a lead slip at Hartlepool a week earlier, Sweeney told the club website: “We needed one win out of these last two games and picking up that win, you’ve just got the momentum now going into that next game. 

“Hopefully you get the three points and get a little bit of a run and just nip it in the bud.”

Sweeney impressed at left-back, in only the 32nd appearance of his professional career, and is hoping to help the club secure their return to League One in the coming weeks.

The 21-year-old was in the stands at Wembley Stadium when Russell Slade’s side saw their dreams of promotion to the Championship shattered by a penalty shoot-out defeat against Rotherham.

And he wants to bring more success to E10, adding: “Coming through the academy it has been tough. I’ve been in and around it for a fair few years now so to finally break through has been a bit of a relief, but more pride than anything. 

“Just proud to play for this club, especially because I’ve been here for so long.

“And the quality we have in the full-back area – Hunty, TJ – probably the best two full-backs in the league technically, then you have Brownie who can play there, Shad can play left-back, we’ve got so much strength in depth in that area.

“So to have a run in the team and play there regularly recently, I’m just happy and proud.

“I was there at Wembley in the League One play-off final so to go through it all, the rollercoaster, the ups and downs, everything inbetween, will be so special to bring the club back to where it deserves and then hopefully kick on from there.”

O’s are back at Brisbane Road on Bank Holiday Monday, when they host Harrogate Town.