Andy Hessenthaler admitted his players were disappointed not to have turned one point into three against National League leaders Leyton Orient on Saturday.

The visitors arrived at Crabble boasting the division's best away record, but had lost their previous two games on the road and Whites were unlucky not to make it three defeats in a row for the Londoners.

Top scorer Inih Effiong saw his sixth minute penalty saved by Orient keeper Dean Brill, with only the crossbar denying Alfie Pavey during the opening moments of the second half.

Orient's Dale Gorman did smack a shot against the post in the 89th minute, but Whites boss Andy Hessenthaler felt his side – 20th in the table – thoroughly deserved their point.

The goalless draw extended their unbeaten run at home to five league matches and six in all competitions.

Hessenthaler said: "We would have taken a point before the start, even more so because we had to adjust because of the injuries we had, but there is a bit of disappointment we haven't picked up the three points.

"I was really pleased with the players, and I was saying it just shows you how far we've come that the boys have really got their heads down in the dressing room after the game because they're disappointed we've only got a point against the league leaders.

"That just shows how far we've come, that's great, the boys were excellent again today. I'm proud of them because it was a tough game."

Hessenthaler was forced into three changes after Josh Passley, Bobby-Joe Taylor and Ricky Modeste were all ruled out by injuries picked up during the 3-1 Boxing Day win over Maidstone.

That meant Mitch Brundle had to play at right-back – a role Hessenthaler said the skipper filled with distinction, having already played this season in midfield and the centre of defence.

He added: "We've had to make changes which were forced upon us. I don't normally single players out because they're doing really well as a group but I think our captain had to slide in at right back and I thought he was immense again.

"There were some good performances, they were all good but you've got to single him out because he's just so versatile."

Hessenthaler said he attached no blame to Effiong for missing the penalty and also praised the performance of centre-half Scott Doe, making his first league start after moving to Crabble.

He added: "It was a tight affair so it was a shame we missed a pen. You can't criticise him for that, he wanted it, he's in a rich vein of form but unfortunately he missed it.

"That happens in football so there's no criticism coming from me on that side of it.

"I think he's more disappointed with the one he missed late on in the second half, the header back which he's intercepted but gone for it with the wrong foot."

Of experienced centre-half Doe he said: "You can see where he's played, you can see his experience, he reads the game so well.

"He came round and covered two dangerous situations today, one in the first half when the lad Koroma, who is a good player, got down the side and he's come round, and later on when he got his toe to the ball. He reads the game and you can see his experience."

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