Mathieu Baudry said it felt like a new start for him at the club after he netted the opener in their win over Preston North End.

The versatile Frenchman took advantage of an injury to captain Nathan Clarke and produced an assured performance in defence.

Baudry has been frustrated by his lack of starts this season since joining from Bournemouth in the summer. But the defender was granted an opportunity in his favoured position on Saturday and made the most of it with a fine performance at both ends of the pitch.

Baudry, who was named in the League One team of the week, said: “It’s been a long time. It’s been really hard because every professional wants to play so it’s been frustrating but I was ready any time to come on the pitch and do my job and I’m happy for the team.

“You’re never happy to see someone get injured, especially Clarkey. He’s a top lad but I came here to play week, in week out. When I’m here I will give 110 per cent out on the pitch and try to keep the spot.”

The former Troyes defender admitted: “I was really hungry before the game and had a feeling the day before the game that I was going to score. I’m quite happy that I scored my first goal here and it felt like a new start so I’m happy for that.

“I’ve always played in defence so I feel comfortable there but every time I’m on the pitch I give 110 per cent.

“My first professional game in France I scored after five minutes. I scored after ten minutes in my first game for Bournemouth and also scored on my Orient debut at Charlton. It felt like my first start at the back out there so it was a bit like a tradition really. But I never score with my foot.”

Baudry showed his strength in the air when he managed to head in the first-half opener at Brisbane Road.

The 24-year-old said: “I think it’s a bit like every team. When you get a free-kick you send the centre-backs forward and the gaffer said the opposition doesn’t really know about me so we can take advantage of it which I did.

“I’m really pleased with the clean sheet. Every time I’ve played at the back this season we’ve kept a clean sheet and I’m happy for that because that’s what we wanted. If you keep a clean sheet it’s easier because there’s less pressure on the attackers and they can express themselves.”

Orient’s win over Preston made it five victories in a row and the O’s have been transformed from a struggling side into a confident team with a real goal threat.

Baudry believes this has been helped by the players spending more time together and gaining experience as a group on the pitch.

He said: “I think we know each other better and we’re more confident on the ball and we know what we have to do. When you get a few wins it helps your confidence. At the front we’re finding the net and we just have to keep the run going.”