A delighted Justin Edinburgh hailed Leyton Orient’s work ethic and determination after they claimed a “huge three points” with a 2-0 win at Wrexham to open up a three-point lead at the National League summit.

Although the O’s had their chances to open the scoring, they had to withstand a testing defensive examination before Macauley Bonne did make the crucial breakthrough with four minutes remaining in Saturday's top-of-the-table clash.

Substitute James Brophy then made the points safe by lobbing Rob Lainton from distance as the visitors established a new club record for an unbeaten away run in a season.

Edinburgh told the club website: “(It was) a huge performance, very resolute and determined. We had to call upon Dean Brill today for probably the first time in the season for the amount of saves but when he was called upon he was top class.

“With the form we’re in with the front boys, you know that if we get the chance then we’ll dispatch it. It’s a huge three points today.”

It was Orient’s top-scoring “front boy” Bonne who netted the first when a Jobi McAnuff corner broke for him in the penalty area, but the head coach also praised the other qualities his side displayed in abundance.

The O’s boss said: “When it falls in the box there’s one person you want to see it falling to and that’s Macauley Bonne. That’s why he’s the player he is and he dispatched it incredibly well.

“The second one’s a sublime finish as well, but we had to do a lot of the basics and the graft – the side I like to see. The defenders defended incredibly well for their lives today.”

Edinburgh’s changes once again paid off as Brophy scored the second goal after replacing James Dayton in the 68th minute, but the substitutes are much more than replacements in the eyes of the Orient head coach.

“They’re game changers,” he said, “they’re not subs, they’re game changers and they did that today and without them we wouldn’t be where we are.

“That’s what we’re about, the togetherness in the squad is incredibly high, confidence is high and I think that shows in the performance.”

Asked about the performance of Dale Gorman, Edinburgh continued: “He’s had to be patient because of the form of Charlie (Lee). Charlie unfortunately picks up the injury but that’s what we’re about.

“The ones that are underneath are working so hard and that’s testament to the coaching staff as well to keep everyone in the condition they are, ready to step in when they are needed. It’s welcoming when you look at the bench and what we can bring on.”