Opposition view: Orient boss Hendon hails Cobblers keeper Smith

Smith was in defiant mood as he made save after save to thwart the O’s during their second half barrage on the Northampton goal.

His performance looked to have been rewarded when Dominic Calvert-Lewin headed the Cobblers ahead in stoppage time, only for Dean Cox to strike with virtually the last kick of the game.

Hendon said afterwards: “It feels more like a defeat than a draw after the way we played throughout the game but Adam Smith was in inspired form. They were top-class saves, he had an outstanding game.

“It was disappointing to come off with just a draw but when you go behind that late in the game it’s always pleasing to score.

“I’m delighted with the performance, even going a goal down that late on the players still kept going and we thoroughly deserved all three points, not just one.

“It was disappointing to concede from a corner because we do a lot on defending set-pieces. Alex [Cisak] didn’t have a chance with the header and Calvert-Lewin got away from his marker.”

Cobblers boss Chris Wilder was left fuming at the decision to award the free-kick which led to Orient’s last-gasp equaliser, but Hendon felt his side were denied two penalties.

He added: “I know Chris Wilder wasn’t happy about the free-kick award for the equaliser but before that I thought we could have had a couple of penalties.

“Dean Cox has got that quality, he keeps calm under pressure and it was a great free-kick.

“I know that’s four league games without a win but I’m not worried about that. If we keep producing performances like we have been we will win a lot more games than we lose.”