THE best team lost today, according to Orient boss Russell Slade.

Orient went down 2-0 to promotion-chasing Southampton, who go second in League One.

“Games like that are normally tight, but I thought the best team lost. They've been clinical but only had two or three shots,” said Slade.

Jimmy Smith had two goals ruled out for off-side during the first half, but Slade had few complaints about the refereeing.

But he also insisted Orient are not out of the play-off race.

“We will give everything in our quest to be successful. They (the players) can't give me more than they have. We battled away and didn't roll over when we got fouled.”