Leyton Orient manager Russell Slade bemoaned his side's lack of cutting edge in their 1-1 draw against Sheffield Utd but insisted the O's performance was at times "inspiring".

The Blades went 1-0 up through Conor Coady after a mix-up in the O’s defence but Dean Cox’s superb second-half volley rescued a point for the hosts.

The O's missed a number of good chances in the match and in-form front man David Mooney, in particular, was unsually wasteful in the first half.

Slade said: “We should have never been in that position, we should have been two or three up well before that stage.

“Sheffield United couldn’t have believed that we had made such a mess of things at the back - it was a horrible goal from our point of view to concede.

“We dominated in the first half in terms of everything - I thought our intensity, our tempo and our spirit was inspiring at times and it was as good as we’ve played all season in that first half.

“It’s not a problem for us to keep going, we’ve got bundles of character.”

Cox saved the day for Orient with nine minutes left on the clock as the midfielder planted an excellent finish in the top corner to draw level.

Slade felt it was a strike that deserved to win any game of football. 

“It was an unbelievable goal, but he’s capable of that at any given time," he said. "Cox’s goal should have won any football match - it was a fantastic finish.

“And it paid off for all the enthusiasm, attitude and our ability to keep going forward and create openings which eventually got us something out of the game."

With Kevin Lisbie ruled out of the game with an ankle injury, Shaun Batt started his second league game of the season and the striker seized his opportunity.

“I thought he was magnificent," Slade continued. "I couldn’t have asked for more, particularly in the first period.

“He kept going, and his attitude and enthusiasm to go forward and take people on was excellent and very entertaining.”

The draw means Orient missed the chance to go two points clear at the top of League One but Slade's men still return to the summit on goal difference.

"We take every little challenge as they come along," Slade added. "We are loving life, we're enjoying it.

"My team played with great energy and enthusiasm and enjoyed some really good patches of play and I'm delighted with them."