Port Vale captain Doug Loft decided to draw the positives out of Vale’s last minute defeat to SkyBet League 1 leaders Leyton Orient after the Valiants were defeated 3-2 at the Matchroom Stadium.

Vale succumbed to an eighty eighth minute goal by Orient striker Kevin Lisbie in a pulsating afternoon at the Matchroom Stadium.

Louis Dodds gave the Valiants an early lead with a diving header before Orient turned the game on its head. Dave Mooney scored a double for the hosts with the second coming in controversial circumstances.

Vale believed the goal was offside after the linesman appeared to raise his flag, referee Mick Russell overruled the offside and awarded the goal.

Jennison Myrie-Williams’ half-volley brought Vale back level after half-time and Vale looked to have the ascendency but Lisbie’s late strike meant Orient continued their unbeaten start to the season.

Loft told Valiant Player: “The boys worked really hard and I think we deserved something from the game if I am honest.

“They are top of the league and I think we’ve come here and given them a really good game.

“We’ve hit the bar and had some chances and it is disappointing to lose it like that.

“We’ve got some strong characters in there.”

As captain Doug Loft says he will be doing all he can to lift the players again ahead of Saturday’s match against Coventry City.

He explained: “There are a lot of boys with a lot of self-belief.

“I will try and motivate them on and off the pitch, we’ve got big characters who have been here and done it before.

“It’s not just me, the boys are starting to learn that we are not going to win every game but we’ve got a good enough squad to compete.

“If you make mistakes the team score easier than last year.”

Loft backed Vale to pick themselves up and go again next week, Orient had only conceded two goals this season up until today and the captain believes the league leaders know they’ve been in a game.

“We’ll definitely come back from it, it’s just gutting to take – it ruins your weekend a result like that, the way we lost it.

“I am disappointed, I am pretty sure they will know we have given them a good game and they’ve been quite lucky, it’s hard to take,” he said.