Experienced manager full of praise for O’s young team and hopes their future is not decided in the High Court

East London Advertiser: Leyton Orient manager Danny Webb looks on from the touchline at Accrington Stanley (pic: Simon O'Connor),Leyton Orient manager Danny Webb looks on from the touchline at Accrington Stanley (pic: Simon O'Connor), (Image: Simon O'Connor Photography)

Accrington Stanley manager John Coleman felt Leyton Orient’s 5-0 loss at the Crown Ground on Tuesday night was harsh and praised the endeavour of the struggling side.

It remained goalless until the 44th minute when Billy Kee headed in the opener and it was largely one-way traffic after.

Matty Pearson struck twice after the restart with Sean McConville finding the net before forcing Charlie Grainger to score an own-goal.

But Coleman said: “I’m delighted we got five and obviously that we won the game, but I think that is very harsh on Orient because I thought they made a great fist of the match.

“They played some good football and made a couple of really good chances in the first half and could have had a penalty.

“For us go in 1-0 up was possibly a little bit harsh on them, but we had created chances and just not hit the target.”

Coleman added: “Everyone had given us the three points before we started and that was not the case and they played with a lot of gusto and a lot of ability.

“They have got some good players and on another night they would have got a lot more than what they got.

“I think the goals late on probably put a different slant on it, although I thought we were excellent second half, so I have to give our players that, but I still don’t think it was a 5-0 on the balance of the game.”

Orient actually started the match brightly with Gavin Massey going close inside the opening 10 minutes and Sam Dalby having a header saved.

Sandro Semedo also failed to make the most of a promising situation before O’s were calling for a penalty when Massey was brought down by Harvey Rodgers.

Referee Graham Salisbury waved away the appeals and it went from bad to worse for Danny Webb’s team after that moment.

Despite the thrashing in Lancashire, Coleman was impressed with the way Orient played and praised their travelling support.

198 O’s fans made the lengthy trip up up to Lancashire and the Stanley boss hopes the future can be bright for them.

Orient are due in the High Court on Monday to face a winding-up petition over an unpaid tax bill, but the club have assured the EFL they can clear the petition debt.

Coleman added: “All credit to Orient’s management for getting them playing the way they did with the passion and desire they showed and credit of course to their players and the fans.

“We looked to our right from the bench before the game and said that is a great effort by their supporters for where they are in the table and with it being a Tuesday night.

“It is refreshing to see that and I hope for footballs sake that what happens to them this season is not decided in the High Court.”