DREWE Broughton will be missed when he is suspended for Saturday's game with Darlington even though he is still searching for a first competitive goal of the season.

His failure to take recent chances, including a penalty, have been well documented but Broughton has otherwise proved a complete menace to defences.

And he declared after the Orient game: "If you had said to the manager we would get four points from the two Bank Holiday games, I'm sure he would have taken that.

"The changes to the formation were forced on him after big Abdou Sall pulled out and it again shows the spirit at the club.

"A 0-0 draw at Orient is no mean feat if you look at their home results this season.

"I just battled away up there and although I didn't get much joy, I just did it for the team."

Broughton's temper nearly cost him in a second-half altercation with sub John Martin but he escaped with a yellow card to add to his red for two cautions at Rushden.

The big striker explained: "He kicked me in the groin. I suppose you shouldn't raise your hands but I wanted to make a point to him."

And Broughton now plans to keep working hard on his fitness as he is without a game in two weeks due to the one-game ban.