Leyton Orient fans can enjoy the table tonight after the O’s secured an emphatic 5-1 win over Carlisle to go top of League One on goal difference.

A frantic 15 minutes which included three goals, a penalty and a sending off set Leyton Orient up for a thrilling victory and a dream start to the new campaign.

It’s the first time in four years the O’s have not been beaten in the first fixture of the campaign and Russell Slade’s side thoroughly deserved the three points with the goals coming from Kevin Lisbie, Scott Cuthbert, David Mooney and two from Dean Cox.

Carlisle played the majority of the match with ten men after Liam Miller was dismissed in the first half and, despite pulling a goal back from the penalty spot to make it 2-1 just before half time, Orient made count their superior numbers, creativity and finishing.

Slade opted for an attacking four-four-two line-up with Shaun Batt partnering Kevin Lisbie up front and David Mooney starting on the left wing. New signings John Gorman and Marvin Bartley both made the bench.

Carlisle started the brighter in the early stages and were nearly gifted the perfect start to their campaign as Scott Cuthbert’s attempted header back was intercepted by Lewis Guy but the striker’s skewed effort was tipped away by Jamie Jones.

After a sluggish opening quarter of an hour however, Orient started to find their feet in the game. David Mooney cut inside from the left of the penalty area but his shot was straight at the keeper before Batt’s header from a corner hit the crossbar on its way over.

The home side’s initial momentum had been lost and Orient began to assert more and more control over the flow of the match. When the opening goal arrived in the 21st minute, it was all too simple. Nathan Clarke launched a long throw into the box from the right and somehow Lisbie beat two defenders to the ball to nod it into the net for his first of the season.

Orient’s goal was followed by a lull in proceedings but with half an hour played, the contest suddenly came alive.

Clarke was clattered by Miller in the far corner and as the linesman frantically flagged and O’s players urgently called for medical assistance, Miller was shown a red card and Orient’s lead suddenly appeared more comfortable. Clarke, who was taken to hospital after the incident, was replaced by Elliot Omozusi.

Carlisle though felt aggrieved and ill-temper turned into a lack of focus as Liam Noble petulantly hacked down Lisbie soon after and players from both teams swarmed in. As the hosts’ blood boiled, Orient took full advantage. James floated in a corner and Scott Cuthbert rose highest to head Orient into a commanding 2-0 lead. 

The contest suddenly looked firmly in Orient’s favour but with five minutes to play before the break the chaos took another twist as a Carlisle cross fell perfectly into the path of David Amoo but the winger completely missed the ball. Josh Gillies though followed up and his shot struck the hand of Orient’s Mathieu Baudry and the referee pointed to the spot.

Amoo made amends for his dreadful miss moments earlier and coolly slotted home to make it 2-1 and give ten-man Carlisle hope before the break.

The second half continued to be played at a fast pace but neither team created clear-cut chances.

Orient gained the most joy down the flanks where they continued to get behind Carlisle and deliver dangerous crosses into the area.

Moses Odubajo was often the provider and in the 69th minute the youngster weaved his way through before delivering a superb cross for Mooney to head home.

Carlisle continued to try and pull themselves back into the match but with both teams still playing their way into full fitness, Orient’s extra man increasingly took its toll.

And with ten minutes to go, so it proved as the home side failed to deal with a long, straight ball down the pitch and substitute Dean Cox helped himself, applying the finish to make it 4-1 to the visitors.

With the three points secure, Orient eased through the final minutes but there was still time for one more as Cox hit a brilliant strike from long range which came down off the cross bar and the referee gave the goal, confirming an emphatic 5-1 win for the O’s.

Orient will be hoping to continue their winning start when they host Coventry City in the League Cup on Tuesday night.

Orient: Jones, Clarke (Omozusi, 32), Sawyer, Baudry, Cuthbert, Odubajo, Vincelot, James, Mooney, Lisbie (Gorman, 82), Batt (Cox, 68)

Subs: Omozusi, Cox, Larkins, Lee, Vanderhyde, Gorman, Bartley

Carlisle: Gillespie, Potts, Livesey, Edwards, James, Amoo, Noble, Berrett, Gillies (Symington, 73) Guy (Beck, 73) Miller

Subs: Thirlwell, Beck, Symington, Fleming, Salmon, Lynch, Brough

Referee: Mr J Simpson

Attendance: 4,951