Leyton Orient boss Russell Slade insists the best team lost after the O's were beaten 1-0 at home to Bradford City.

Despite the defeat, Orient have clinched a League 1 play-off spot with six games to spare after Sheffield United lost at Swindon Town. 

The O's made a bright start but a goal by Aaron McLean settled the contest as Orient's winless run stretched to four games. 

Slade said: "I thought the better team lost the football match today. I thought we had three great opportunities to go in front in the game. 

"As it is so often in this league, if you don't do your job at a set play, as it was a corner in this instance, you can get punished for it."

Slade was critical of some fans after the midweek draw with Oldham for booing their side. But he was complimentary of their supporters following today's match.

Slade said: "I thought they were absolutely excellent and it's just what we needed and it kept our team performing. We kept trying to pass but it's sometimes very difficult when a team drops so deep. If they'd dropped any deeper they would have needed snorkels."

There was a controversial end to the first half as Bradford boss Phil Parkinson and O's assistant manager Kevin Nugent were sent off for an altercation in the tunnel. But Slade was quick to play down the incident.

Slade said: "The referee has made that decision at half-time after consultation with one of his officials. But it was nothing if I'm honest. It was just the pressure of the technical areas in football. It's part and parcel sometimes and people don't see eye to eye."