A convincing win by Orient over the U’s today buoyed the side after a heavy defeat on new year’s day.

O's boss Russell Slade was glad to get back to winning ways at the Matchroom Stadium.

“Brighton was a bad defeat and it hurt, but hopefully today's result has got us over it.

"I'd like to think that Saturday was just a blip because we've won two out of three now,” he said.

Orient were just too good for Colchester Utd, a side fancied to be in promotion contention.

The strong display at home was the perfect tonic for the O’s after a 5-0 away thrashing by Brighton last Saturday.

"We really wanted to bounce back," said Slade.

"It was a strong changing room before the kick off, and there was a real determination in there. So I'm proud of them today.

“It took a lot of character after Saturday's result. Colchester have only lost one away game before today, they'd conceded just seven goals and today we've scored four.”