Leyton Orient owner Barry Hearn described Russell Slade as "inspirational" after their manager guided the League One leaders to their best ever winning start to a season.

The O's battled to a 2-1 win at rivals Colchester United this afternoon which set a club record of five consecutive wins at the start of a league campaign.

When asked about the impact of Slade, Hearn replied: "I can't speak highly enough of him. Ever since he's had that accident with his barber it's all gone terribly well. He's inspirational and built a team spirit the like of which I've not seen in this football club in my tenure as chairman.

"I just hung in the back of the dressing room a few minutes ago while he was talking to the lads and quite honestly, I've done a few pep talks to fighters, snooker players and darts player, and that was inspirational. That was Shanklyism [Bill] at its best."

Hearn added: "The hairs on the back of my neck went up and I began to understand how he's put together this team spirit because you cut the atmosphere in the dressing room with a knife but the feeling was a beautiful moment in sport.

"We're not going to get carried away by the way. But it's five wins out of five, we're top of the league, Peterborough got beaten today and we're clear at the top. Now can we stay there all season? Well why not? Let's give it a good go."

The O's have been slow starters in recent years but have made a complete transformation this season with their 100 per cent winning record in League One. Hearn insists spirit and hard work is as much responsible in their results as footballing ability.

The Orient chairman said: "We've waited a long time to have a good start and my word these boys are delivering it in spades aren't they? 

"It's not just about ability. Team work and team spirit is so essential but the work rate they put in after 120 minutes on Tuesday night [was immense]. They were running on empty but they just refused to be denied."