Leyton Orient head coach Richie Wellens said the season starts now after picking up their first League One point at Blackpool.
O's battled to a goalless draw against the Tangerines, who were relegated from the Championship last season, at Bloomfield Road - their fourth away fixture in five so far this campaign.
And that enabled them to snap a four-game losing streak in all competitions, after league defeats against Charlton, Portsmouth and Wycombe and a Carabao Cup exit at Plymouth.
"More than a fighting display. I thought at times in patches we were really, really good," Wellens told the club website.
"Our season starts now with the first point and first clean sheet.
"I thought defensively we did defend a lot better than we have done in recent weeks, in terms of our intensity getting to the ball, making sure there's no free headers or no free shots in around our box."
Sam Howes produced a superb early save to deny Shayne Lavery, with Ruel Sotiriou denied at the other end and Omar Beckles heading over from a corner.
Joe Pigott had claims for a penalty turned down before half-time, but Jensen Weir hit the post for the hosts in the second half after good save from Howes.
George Moncur fired over late on as it remained goalless, but Wellens added: "A lot of positives to take, I think we should've won the game.
"I think we had the two best chances where Joe Pigott is about to put it in the net and I think it's a penalty.
"And then George Moncur, with five or six minutes to go, I think we should score it."
Howes, getting his chance in goal due to an injury to Sol Brynn, was pleased to record his first clean sheet in the Football League and is hoping O's can now move forwards after a tough start.
A BIG performance from this man today 👏#LOFC #OneOrient pic.twitter.com/nTF63nMfDZ
— Leyton Orient FC (@leytonorientfc) August 19, 2023
"I'm buzzing obviously with the clean sheet and the first point of the season. It can only kick us on," he said.
"I felt we did really well today especially in the second half, it was backs against the wall at times but point, clean sheet on the road, can't complain."
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