Orient boss Russell Slade admitted the outcome of the defeat against Preston might have been different with suspended midfielder Romain Vincelot.

The game at Brisbane Road was settled by a wonderful Joe Garner volley but the O’s were dealt a blow on Friday when the FA handed the Frenchman a one game ban for deliberately getting booked against Southport.

They FA decided he got cautioned on purpose in the FA Cup game to trigger a suspension, so he missed the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy clash with Stevenage rather than a League One fixture.

Despite deciding not to appeal the decision, which also came with a £1,500 fine for Vincelot, Slade questioned how they could rule someone has got themselves cautioned deliberately.

Slade said: “It’s the first I’ve heard of something like this and I was pretty shocked.

“I’m suprised how you can adjudge it’s deliberate.

“Romain’s the heartbeat of the side and could have made a difference.”

Preston were the better team in the first 45 minutes but Orient came into the game in the second half. The manager was pleased with how his team responded after half-time but says they have to perform better against the better teams.

Slade said: “I thought it was quite a tight game but we weren’t at our best.

“Preston will be right up there at the end of the season and you have to be at your best in the the bigger games.

“Before this one we have been - we’ve beaten Peterborough, Brentford, MK Dons and Rotherham, who are all teams who will be up there.

“We’ll prepare the team for Swindon and look to get back on track.”

Wolves’ win at Notts County means Orient are now second in League One. It was Orient’s first home league defeat since February 23 and the first time they have failed to score this season.