Leyton Orient strengthened their position at the top of League One after a brilliant 3-1 win at promotion rivals Peterborough United this afternoon.

The hosts opened the scoring midway through the first half after Tommy Rowe deflected in Grant McCann's free-kick but David Mooney's well-placed finish deservedly brought Orient level at the break.

The League One leaders took the lead four minutes after the restart when Dean Cox lobbed the ball home and Mooney drilled in his second to seal the O's best league win of the season. 

The O’s named an unchanged side for the visit to London Road with defender Mathieu Baudry still sidelined due to his knee injury. The hosts had to manage without Lee Tomlin after his dismissal last weekend at Colchester United.

Peterborough made a bright start and had the first effort on goal through Tyrone Barnett’s close-range effort but Jamie Jones managed to palm the ball to safety.

Orient created an opportunity from a long throw outside the Posh area but Dean Cox sent a speculative volley over the home crossbar.

Peterborough grabbed the opening goal just before the half hour mark. McCann sent in a free-kick from the right edge of the area and Rowe managed to get a touch to divert it into the bottom corner of the net.

The O’s almost earned a quick equaliser in the most spectacular fashion. Mooney struck a sublime volley which left Bobby Olejnik well beaten but his strike cannoned off the crossbar.

Orient were enjoying a decent spell of pressure and Kevin Lisbie fired in an effort which was blocked by a defender.

The visitors were rewarded with an equaliser six minutes before the break. Lisbie released strike partner Mooney and he showed great composure to place a shot into the corner of the net.

The O’s nearly took the lead shortly afterwards but Lisbie could only head straight at the home keeper.

Peterborough created the final chance of the half but Danny Swanson’s powerful strike was parried by Jones.

Orient got off to a dream start to the second half as they took the lead for the first time. Lisbie flicked the ball on and Cox produced an instinctive lob over the keeper to send the away fans delirious.

It was nearly 3-1 minutes later after Cox released Mooney but the striker's shot was blocked by Olejnik's feet. 

But the O's netted their third of the game in the 58th minute when Cox set up Mooney and he tucked the ball into the bottom corner of the net to stun the home supporters.

Russell Slade's side were in control and could have added a fourth goal after Moses Odubajo set up Mooney but he was denied a hat-trick by Olejnik.

Cox was given a standing ovation by the strong away contingent after the winger was replaced by former Peterborough forward Shaun Batt. 

Orient rarely came under pressure in the closing minutes of the game and the final whistle blew to seal another exceptional victory for the O's who moved six points clear of third-placed Peterborough. 

Peterborough United: Olejnik; Ntlhe (Mendez-Laing, 53), Zakuani, Bostwick, Little; McCann, Swanson (Newell, 65), Payne, Rowe; Assombalonga (Jeffers, 78), Barnett

Subs not used: Day, Alcock, Brisley, Conlon

Leyton Orient: Jones; Omozusi, Clarke, Cuthbert, Sawyer; Cox (Batt, 77), James, Vincelot, Odubajo (Bartley, 90); Lisbie, Mooney

Subs not used: Larkins, Lasimant, Gorman, Stockley, Sutherland

Referee: M Heywood