'Lessons to be learned' by Cobblers but 'resilience' is a big plus for boss Curle

Town came under the cosh in the final half-hour or so as Orient, behind to Ryan Watson's earlier strike, cranked up the pressure and frantically sought an equaliser.

But the visitors defended manfully and would likely have held out for all three points if not for Josh Wright's debatable penalty five minutes from time.

"We put in a good performance away from home and we gained a point," said Curle.

"We showed some battling qualities, we showed some good play and we caused them some problems with the football.

"It was slightly disappointing not to go into half-time with a bigger advantage because I thought we played some good football.

"But the resilience and battling quality we showed is something that's growing at this club and it's a culture that we're trying to instil in the players.

"There's a challenge to be had and we're prepared to put ourselves on the line, whether that's a block, whether that's a tackle, whether it's a header to be won, we will be competitive and we will compete.

"That's growing and it's spreading more and more throughout the football club and that's good."

On the flip side, the Cobblers sat too deep in the second-half and struggled to relieve Orient's mounting pressure, which eventually led to Scott Wharton's handball.

"There are areas we need to work on in the second-half away from home when you know teams are going to come at you," admitted Curle.

"Our ball retention and forward play can be better and out defensive line can be better so there are a lot of things, technically, that we can work on.

"But it's important to note that it was a point earned and a point gained and there are lessons to be learned as well."