One of Orient’s longest-serving players called for perspective as they virtually guaranteed a play-off place despite defeat to Bradford.

Dean Cox (above) made his 200th appearance for the club in last week’s draw with Oldham and is relishing the chance to make the O’s a second tier outfit for the first time in 33 years.

Crawley are the only side who can deny them a top-six berth but trail the promotion side by 30 points with 10 games remaining – and have an inferior goal difference of 41.

And if the Sussex side drop points at Port Vale tonight the O’s will be mathematically certain of at least a play-off place.

Cox said: “In my time being here we’ve had one almost relegation and two seasons where we came seventh. It’s been gradual and maybe we need a bit of realism.

“The fans respect what we’ve achieved and that showed.

“If I’d told you at the start of the season we’d practically be in the play-offs with six games to go you’d have laughed at me.

“It’s difficult for us to rotate like the likes of Brentford and Wolves. They can put people like Sako and Dicko on the bench. We can’t afford to do that and there are a lot of tired bodies out there.”