Leyton Orient celebrated setting a new club record winning start to a league season after a 2-1 victory at rivals Colchester United this afternoon.

Russell Slade’s side clinched their fifth consecutive win in League One, in front of a jubilant away following, to remain top of the table.

The visitors grabbed the opening goal slightly against the run of play when David Mooney punished his former club with a smart finish early on.

But Colchester United earned an equaliser after the half hour mark when former Orient striker Jabo Ibhere fired home.

However Orient upped their game after the restart and their pressure resulted in a second goal as Kevin Lisbie headed in his fifth goal of the season to secure a historic start for the club.

The O’s made just one change from the team beaten in the Capital One Cup by Hull City on Tuesday. French defender Mathieu Baudry returned to the side with Marvin Bartley dropping back to the bench.

Colchester’s first effort on goal was a deflected effort from Sanchez Watt which was straight into the arms of Jamie Jones.

Jones was forced into his first significant save when he was at full stretch to push Watt’s well-struck shot around the post.

The U’s were looking lively and had another opportunity through former striker Ibehre but his looping header cleared the crossbar.

Orient grabbed the opening goal after 13 minutes which sent the packed away end into a frenzy. The visitors broke away and Dean Cox released former Colchester forward Mooney who tucked the ball into the net from close range.

The visitors were looking dangerous on the counter-attack and went close when Mooney passed to Lisbie and the experienced striker’s shot was pushed round the post by Sam Walker.

The hosts grabbed the equaliser they probably deserved after 35 minutes when the ball fell to Ibehre and he made no mistake firing a shot into the bottom corner of the net.

United created a decent chance two minutes before the break when the lively Watt picked up the ball but his strike from outside the area floated just past Jones’ post.

The first opportunity of the second half fell to Orient but Cox’s cross was headed wide of the target by Mooney.

Orient’s bright showing in the second half was rewarded with their second goal as they regained the lead in the 63rd minute. Cox sent in a superb cross and Lisbie was in the perfect spot to head home in front of the visiting fans.

The O’s were buzzing after their goal and Cox had a chance from outside the box but his shot was held by Walker.

Colchester responded and had the ball in the net through Watt but it was ruled out for offside.

Former Colchester striker Lisbie was given a standing ovation from both supporters after being replaced by Shaun Batt in the last 15 minutes.

The hosts brought on Clinton Morrison and the striker had a chance but fired his effort over the crossbar.

The U’s were desperately searching for a goal to preserve their unbeaten run and Orient increasingly came under pressure in the last ten minutes.

Orient had a brief spell in the United half and almost added a third when Cox’s inswinging cross was parried by the keeper.

The O's should have netted a third in injury time as Batt fired wide of an empty goal after the hosts lost possession with the keeper out of his area. 

But it did not matter as the referee blew the final whistle to clinch a historic victory which marked their best ever winning start to a season.

Colchester United: Walker; Dickson, Okuonghae, Eastman, Olufemi; Wright (Gilbey, 71), Eastmond, Watt; Sears (Morrison, 78), Massey (D Wright, 71), Ibehre

Subs not used: Cousins, Thompson, Bond, Spense

Leyton Orient: Jones; Omozusi, Clarke, Baudry, Cuthbert; Cox, Vincelot, James (Bartley, 78), Odubajo; Lisbie (Batt, 76), Mooney

Subs not used: Larkins, Lee, Vanderhyde, Gorman

Referee: Andy Woolmer

Attendance: 5,056 (1,645)