Orient manager Russell Slade Pic: Simon O'Connor

But Slade is delighted to be able to rotate squad in Trophy success

Orient boss Russell Slade admitted his side were not at their best during the 1-0 win against Barnet in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy - but he was pleased to be able to rotate his squad before Saturday’s trip to Bournemouth.

The victory took O’s through to the area quarter-finals of the competition, but Slade admitted: “The performance was patchy, but you expect that because it’s the first time I have put that 11 out in any game.

“I made changes and brought a few of the young lads on as well.”

Slade was impressed with teenager Moses Odubajo, who scored the only goal of the game on 25 minutes and underlined his versatility by starting the game at right-back and finishing up on the left-wing.

“Mo started and he had another good game for us,” said Slade.

“They were really important minutes on the pitch for him and he capped it with a great goal.”

Quality was in short supply during the 90 minutes, but the winner was well worked as Jimmy Smith and Dean Cox combined to set up the chance for Odubajo.

“It was a good move, there was some good football,” said Slade. “We were a little patchy at times and there was one or two stray passes and our decision making wasn’t fantastic.

“But I thought we did enough and we made the maximum changes tonight, and as the game went on we made even more.

“I have managed to rest the likes of Rowlands and Cook and Ben Chorley had an enforced rest because he is serving his ban and I’ve dragged ‘Coxie’ off a little bit early.

“Unfortunately Lloyd James got a knock and that’s the worry from tonight.”

The O’s boss believed the win should have been more convincing and that striker David Mooney was unlucky to have a goal ruled out.

“I’ve had a look at it on the DVD and for me was on side,” said Slade.

“It’s a very tight one, but it’s really good play. It should have been 2-0.”