Justin Edinburgh hailed the fringe players in his Leyton Orient squad after the club secured promotion back to the Football League.

The O’s drew 0-0 at home to already-relegated Braintree Town, which was enough to see them hold onto top spot ahead of Salford City, who lost 3-2 away at Hartlepool United.

Edinburgh has been fairly rigid in terms of his team selections this season, leaving limited opportunities for those not firmly in his plans, but when given their chances they were taken, and after the game the boss spoke highly of the collective way in which this title has been won.

He said: “Some of them have been dragged all over the country and not made the 16. Their incredible professionalism has shone through and that for me is what’s got us to where we are today.

“That’s what has got us this title, that’s what has got us back into the Football League. It’s not about the 11 or the 16, it’s about the squad players and it’s credit to the group because at times it’s difficult, I’ve been there myself.

“You go away, four or five hours overnight and you don’t get involved but they’ve still celebrated like they were and that’s what’s got us to where we are.”