Leyton Orient player-manager Kevin Nolan admitted their 4-0 home defeat to Northampton Town this afternoon was a rude awakening.

The O's conceded four goals in the second half as they were well beaten by the League Two leaders.

Nolan said: "Tonight I'm going to go home really disappointed and probably sob in my Rice Krispies. It's a rude awakening for me and something I've got to learn to handle.

"But it was going to come and I'm glad it came this early because at least then we can do something about it.

"That's what I intend to do over the next 15 games because we've got 45 points to play for and we've got to get as many on the board to make sure we give ourselves a chance of getting out this league."

The Cobblers were in ruthless form at Brisbane Road and Nolan was full of admiration for Orient's opponents.

He said: "I'll defend them [his players] today because I think we've come up against a team that will probably win the league if they continue to play how they have.

"You don't go on a run of 11 wins out of 12 if you're not going to be there or thereabouts this season. They're fantastic and very efficient in what they do. They do the right things nine times out of ten what's been asked by the manager."

Nolan added: "That's what I've got to get into my squad and with a bit more work week to week I think we can get there. But this is a nice awakening for them and gives them a big kick up the backside about what we need to make sure we can go on and get the success we want."

Orient's defeat dropped them down to ninth in the table and two points outside the play-off places.