STRIKER Wayne Gray returned to the Orient side for the first time since August and insisted afterwards that the O s can beat the drop, writes TREVOR DAVIES. The forward, who suffered a cruciate ligament injury during the game against Carlisle, came on as

STRIKER Wayne Gray returned to the Orient side for the first time since August and insisted afterwards that the O's can beat the drop, writes TREVOR DAVIES.

The forward, who suffered a cruciate ligament injury during the game against Carlisle, came on as a second half substitute against Peterborough on Tuesday night and went within a whisker of grabbing an injury-time leveller.

Orient's relegation worries worsened following the 3-2 defeat at the hands of the promotion-chasers, but Gray is convinced the side can stay up.

The striker hopes to keep his place in the squad for Saturday's massive relegation showdown with Brighton & Hove Albion in a must-win match for Geraint Williams' side.

Gray said after Tuesday's match: "Every game is a massive one for us now and we need to get back to winning ways after a bit of a sticky patch.

"But we won two games on the bounce recently and we have got to go on a similar run.

"We have only won three at home all season, which is a problem but, hopefully, we can turn it around on Saturday. The players have not given up by any stretch of the imagination and there are still 12 games to go and plenty of points to play for.

"We have got to try and take our second-half performance against Peterborough into Saturday's game and I believe we have enough ability in the dressing room to get out of trouble."

After spending most of the season on the treatment table, Gray was delighted to make a return on Tuesday night.

"It was nice to be out there, I just hope I can make a difference and with four strikers and Adam Boyd coming back from injury, there is real competition for places," he added.

Gray could have marked his return with a sensational late leveller after Sean Thornton's free-kick bounced off visiting keeper Joe Lewis.

"As a striker you're always told to hit the target and that's what I did. But the keeper made a great save, although I expected to score, but next time I'll put it away. I feel good and very strong and want to keep playing," added Gray.

Top scorer Boyd is likely to miss Saturday's clash with Brighton, but is close to a return. Williams knows the importance of the game and admitted: "It's a massive match for us, but every single game is vital, and we have to start picking up points again.