BECHETTI NOT TALKING YET
LEYTON ORIENT interim-manager Andy Edwards stopped the rot by picking up his first point at Barnet but revealed he is yet to speak to president Francesco Becchetti about taking the job permanently.
The two London rivals failed to break the deadlock at the Hive as they cancelled each other out.
Orient halted their run of three consecutive defeats, though, and Edwards, who took charge after Andy Hessenthaler was sacked on Monday, said: “I’ve not spoken to Francesco.
“I was asked to take Tuesday’s game against Plymouth Argyle and I continued at Barnet. I’m literally taking it one day at a time, one training session at a time, and that is the approach I’ll continue with until I’m told otherwise.”
Bees manager Martin Allen was pleased his team looked solid and kept O’s dangerous forwards quiet. Jay Simpson had the best opportunity of the match when Gavin Massey set him up inside the area eight minutes before half-time, but Barnet goalkeeper Josh Vickers saved comfortably.
“There was a slow start to the game and they started very well. With a new manager that was bound to happen,” said Allen.
“As the game grew we got stronger and stronger and after the first 20 minutes we settled down and played quite well up to half-time.
“In the second half we were the dominant team and I don’t think we really created too much, but the one thing we wanted at half-time was to make sure we kept a clean sheet.
“They have got dangerous forwards and people on the bench that are dangerous and we needed to make sure we kept our concentration.”
Barnet did beat O’s goalkeeper Alex Cisak in the 40th minute, but referee Darren Handley ruled the goal out after Bira Dembele punched the ball into the net.
The goalless draw was Orient’s first in 67 league matches and Edwards added: “It has been a long time since we had a 0-0. The performance, certainly defensively, was a very good one. We came here to get a win and we didn’t come for a draw so we’re disappointed not to leave with three points.
“We started the game quite well and on the front foot and had a few opportunities. Jay [Simpson] had a great chance which the goalkeeper saved.
“In the second half I didn’t think we were quite so good with the ball, but from back to front we defended with discipline and I was very pleased with that.” Allen added: “It has been a testing week and all credit to the players for coming back so well and looking like the only team that was going to win in the second half.”