Head coach Justin Edinburgh hailed the performance of Joe Widdowson as Leyton Orient kept their sixth clean sheet of the season against Maidenhead United on Saturday.

Goals from Macauley Bonne and James Alabi meant the O’s returned to winning ways at the first time of asking following last week’s defeat to Sutton United, as they secured a 2-0 win at York Road.

Maidenhead rarely troubled the O’s if truth be told and that was partly down to the strong display from Orient’s defence, which included Widdowson, Myles Judd, Josh Coulson and the National League’s Player-of-the-Month Marvin Ekpiteta.

Ekpiteta has been heavily praised for his excellent displays after coming into the side against Ebbsfleet United in August, but Widdowson has gone under the radar for his disciplined performances at left-back.

Widdowson moved to Brisbane Road from Dagenham and Redbridge in July 2017 and has proven himself to be one of the club’s most consistent performers since Edinburgh’s arrival as head coach back in November.

The 29-year-old has been an ever present in the National League this campaign, helping the O’s to cement their status as early promotion favourites, and Edinburgh was quick to praise Widdowson, as well as the club’s back four, following their defensive display at York Road.

He said: “I thought Joe Widdowson was the best player on the pitch today by a mile. I always find it quite amazing that he goes under the radar. I thought he was class for us as he made some really good tackles and defended well, as did the whole back four.

“I think we limited them to very few opportunities, as there was in the game. But when ours came along, we dispatched them very well.”