Leyton Orient head coach Richie Wellens was pleased by the response of his players in their 1-1 draw with Wigan Athletic at Brisbane Road.

Beaten 1-0 at home by Lincoln City in a rearranged fixture in midweek, after the original clash was abandoned, O's saw Stephen Humphrys fire a second-minute penalty against a post.

Shaq Forde fired the hosts ahead on 18 minutes and had a good chance to double the lead soon after, before Humphrys levelled in first-half stoppage time.

And Wellens told the club website: "They're a good team. I don't think there's many better front fours in this league.

"I think Humphrys is one of the best players in the league, he's sharp, he's strong, he's quick.

"They threatened us a few times but we threatened them probably a lot more today and we could've had a lot more goals.

"It was a really good response. Disappointing on Tuesday, but today is a big improvement against a team that every time that play in League One - I know they've got the points [deduction] and the stuff that's happened in the past - they invariably win it.

"They win League One, they're a really big club at this level. Some good players, good manager, I really enjoyed the game tactically, rather than Tuesday. It was a good game."

Forde's missed chance, so soon after the opener, proved a key moment but the Watford loanee earned praise from the boss.

"Bit of a turning point in the game because if we scored there, especially with our press, when we get our press right we're a good team," added Wellens.

"We got the press right and the second opportunity I think Shaq can take one more touch to his left-hand side and it opens the goal up and we can play it to the near side or he can reverse it with his left foot.

"But loads of positives. I thought Shaq was excellent, our front three was excellent.

"Dan Happe, Tuesday I was disappointed in him, because it's a mentality thing with Dan. How much do you want it Dan? Do you want it as much as me as a manager, as a coach? I questioned him. 

"We spoke about it on Wednesday and he promised me he would react and I thought he was one of the best players on the pitch, he was excellent.

"Theo [Archibald], couldn't pick him on Tuesday because he was injured, outstanding. Ed Turns had tonsilitis on Tuesday so we didn't want to risk him, but he come back and was excellent.

"Loads of real positives, I'm just disappointed we didn't win the game, because on the whole balance of play, especially second half, I think the only threat they had was on the counter-attack.

"I think we dominated in terms of territory and chances. We had a couple of moments where we get into the side, the six-yard box and our pull back has got to be right and it wasn't.

"I'm really pleased with everybody, I thought the supporters were excellent, saw a big response from them from Tuesday night."

O's also gave a long-awaited debut to summer signing Dan Agyei, after his recovery from injury, and Wellens hailed the efforts of his substitutes.

"Maybe a little bit ahead of schedule but he only had 10 minutes, we don't want to risk him," he said.

"My biggest fear with Dan, it was a bone in his foot he broke and you see the size of him, how explosive he is, his power and his pace.

"Although he has been training for a number of weeks, you can never replicate the match, the lactic acid, energy, explosiveness.

"We're just worried about him pulling a little muscle so 10 minutes was his maximum today.

"I thought our subs were good, I thought Moncs [George Moncur] was good, Aaron Drinan was excellent when he came on.

"And the last 15-20 minutes, when we went to a back four, we thought the dynamics of their game changed, I thought we were excellent when we went to a back four."

After a midweek trip to Bristol Rovers, O's turn their attention to the FA Cup and a second-round tie at National League high-flyers Chesterfield on Sunday (2pm).