Justin Edinburgh hailed the performances of Jobi McAnuff and Marvin Ekpiteta after Leyton Orient made a real statement of intent by beating Harrogate Town 3-0 at the weekend.

McAnuff notched a brace, while Macauley Bonne scored his sixth goal of the season to ensure the O’s soared to the top of the National League table for the first time this campaign.

Saturday’s win also extended Orient’s unbeaten start to the season to 12 games and O’s skipper McAnuff was influential once again, with his brace and all round play helping the East London side secure a vital win.

At 36, McAnuff is the most experienced player in Orient’s squad and he has been one of their most consistent players once again this campaign, putting in a number of impressive performances out wide.

Meanwhile, Ekpiteta has proven himself to be a reliable figure in the East London side’s defence since replacing the injured George Elokobi against Ebbsfleet United last month.

The 21-year-old, who moved to the Breyer Group Stadium from East Thurrock United in January, has scored twice this campaign, but it is his assured displays at the back which have caught the eye, with the youngster forging a strong partnership with Josh Coulson at centre-back.

Ekpiteta played the full 90 minutes once again for the O’s against Harrogate on Saturday, helping Orient keep their fifth clean sheet of the season, and Edinburgh was quick to praise the defender as well as McAnuff when speaking after the final whistle.

Edinburgh told Leyton Orient’s website: “I can’t speak highly enough of him (McAnuff). He’s an immaculate professional whose performances are top drawer. But it’s also about what he does in and around the group and the standards he sets. He’s a class act.

“Marvin was a colossus today. He really was alongside Josh, Myles Judd and Joe Widdowson once again. When Dean was called upon, he was faultless as well. In terms of an all-round performance, it was near enough perfect today.”