Russell Slade paid tribute to his defence after the 2-0 win over Brentford which extended Leyton Orient's winning start in League One to eight games.

David Mooney's penalty and Shaun Batt's late goal meant it was the forwards who ensured the O's took all three points back to East London but Slade singled out his defence for special praise.

"Eight wins on the bounce is a terrific return," Slade said. "I think the beauty of the side is that sometimes it's Mooney and [Kevin] Lisbie getting us the goals that matter to win us the football match - tonight I thought defensively Elliot [Omozusi] was excellent, Clarkey (Nathan Clarke) was excellent.

"The whole back four put their bodies on the line tonight and we reduced them to a few scrambles really.

"I think solid is the best way to describe us tonight, I don't think it was our best performance certainly not in the first half. I thought we were better in the second half but overall we were solid against a good team."

Orient were under pressure for much of the game, particularly in the first half, but an improved performance after the break sealed another win.

"It was a tough challenge, there wasn't much in it in the first period," Slade said.

"In many ways Brentford were slightly the better team in the first half. It was a very fine line although I thought we had two or three very good chances in the first period. 

"In the second half I did feel like we stepped it up a little bit and we got on top and although Brentford knocked on the door there was no way we were going to break. 

"Brentford played a little lop-sided 4-4-2 if you like because there was three in there so that made life a bit difficult for us because they had that extra body.

"But we just backed ourselved to try and get the ball wide which we didn't often enough in the first period."

Brentford were hot favourites for promotion at the start of the season but the Bees are now 12 points behind the O's, who are five points clear at the top of the table.

Slade said: "We expected it to be tough, it's West London against East London, there's the derby connection there.

"We expected it to be a tough game and I'm sure Brentford wanted to inflict the first defeat on us but we didn't lie down.

He added: "There were periods when I thought both teams put the opposition under pressure and Brentford are a good side with a big squad looking for promotion themselves.

"They're going to inevitably have their periods of pressure, it's about dealing with that pressure at the time and staying in control when you're under pressure - that's important I think."