Leyton Orient head coach Richie Wellens said it was important they are not too disappointed by a 2-2 draw with lowly Colchester United.

The League Two leaders let a two-goal lead slip in the last few minutes at Brisbane Road, but remain six clear of nearest rivals Stevenage ahead of a long trip to Hartlepool United this weekend.

And Wellens claims he would not swap positions with anybody else as they remain in pole position for promotion.

"We're eight unbeaten, it's a long season and I've tried to be consistent with everything I say," he told the club website.

"I walk around and the supporters are doing that [taps chin] 'keep your head up'.

"We're in a brilliant position, I wouldn't swap our position for anybody's so I'm definitely going to keep my head up.

"It's important that we don't get too disappointed. It's two points dropped but we've had games this year when we've just held on and maybe not deserved the two points extra, so it evens itself out.

"We didn't play great but I'm kind of happy with the point, I would've loved three points but I think the most important thing was we're eight unbeaten now and we're a tough team to beat."

George Moncur opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the first half after Paul Smyth was fouled, with Ruel Sotiriou doubling the advantage midway through the second half.

But Connor Hall's glancing header halved the deficit on 89 minutes and Noah Chilvers netted from 20 yards in stoppage time as they spoils were shared.

"We did not play well. I'm always performance based and a realist," added Wellens.

"When we play well I'll tell you, but we didn't play well. I'm happy with a point because we didn't play well, you can kid people that we went 2-0 up.

"Ruel was good, sharp at times, but apart from that too many bad decisions, players that are experienced and know the game, it's fine, we've had two weeks off and probably we felt that legginess, not quite our sharpest.

"That's blown the cobwebs off now and we can go next week.

"We looked tired and when they go 2-0 down, they're leaving two up and I want to try and get some control of the game and instead it's like a game of basketball. We don't need that.

"I thought the subs would come on and give us more legs, more energy, but the subs actually had an adverse effect on our performance."

Hartlepool also finished with a 2-2 draw at Bradford City and Wellens is hoping to have Ed Turns available for Saturday's clash, despite his call-up for international duty with Wales U20s.

"I watched that game because it was the one o'clock kick-off. Very open, very expansive, and Hartlepool - with a previous player that was here in Dan Kemp - played really well and deserved a point," said Wellens.

"At times they could've made more chances against Bradford and took the three points. But Bradford are a threat and Andy Cook scored two and obviously he's the highest goalscorer in the league.

"I'd rather concentrate on us. We need to give this pitch a rest, we're asking players to do things the pitch doesn't allow us or the players to do and I feel for them a little bit at times.

"We feel for Ed to leave and go and play against Colombia U20s on a training pitch in Spain, how is that going to help his development?

"If it's a qualifier I get it, it will be a good experience for him, but I think it's important he stays and goes through what we're going through.

"There's always that risk if he does go and somebody comes in and plays really well, he might not get his place back."

O's are due to play a midweek friendly with Southend to give the likes of Stephen Duke-McKenna, Jordan Brown, Adam Thompson and Shad Ogie more minutes, with Wellens also hoping for good news on Theo Archibald.