ACCRINGTON Stanley manager John Coleman was delighted to end an historic week for the club with three points as the Reds cemented their place in League Two’s leading pack.

Stanley saw local businessman Andy Holt complete his takeover of the club in midweek and with it came the news that £1.2m worth of debt would be cleared, putting the Reds on an even financial keel.

And with matters off the pitch improving Coleman and his players did their bit on the field as they secured a superb 1-0 win away at Leyton Orient to climb to fourth in the table - outside the automatic promotion places on goal difference alone.

Josh Windass’ first half strike at the end of a flowing Stanley move was enough for the Reds to leapfrog their opponents and claim a second straight victory.

And Coleman was delighted to be leaving London with the points.

He said: “It’s a feel good factor this week with the takeover being completed, the club is on an even keel and it is moving in the right direction in the table.

“I am really, really pleased with the squad of players that we have got here and I am pleased they are getting the rewards for their hard work.”

Of Stanley’s winning goal, which came after a wonderful interchange of passes, Coleman added: “It was a lovely move and a great ball by Billy Kee. He was exceptional and probably our man of the match.

“He’s got the vision to play it in and we just wish we could have got another goal to make it a little bit more comfortable.

“We had a couple of chances and were a little bit unlucky but we rode our luck a bit at times and when things are going for you, you have to make sure you capitalise on it and get the three points which we did.”

Coleman was also delighted to see his side earn a clean sheet - their fifth of the campaign - particularly given the amount has had to shuffle the pack in recent weeks due to injuries.

Full back Adam Buxton was missing yesterday with a hip injury and Dean Winnard, Tom Davies and Liam Wakefield have all been sidelined in recent weeks.

The latter two were on the bench at the weekend and Coleman hailed his back four for their resilience in the Orient success.

“The defenders that we are choosing at the moment are putting their bodies on the line,” said the Reds chief.

“It’s not very often that our players go down with cramp because we pride ourselves on being a very fit side but it just shows the effort they put in that two of them did “The pleasing thing is that we had Tom Davies and Liam Wakefield on the bench again as well.

“Rewind a couple of weeks and we down to two defenders but now we are back up to numbers and everyone is pushing for a place.”

Meanwhile, Accrington Stanley’s Under-18s will host Basford United in the FA Youth Cup first round at the Wham Stadium on Tuesday, November 10 (7.45pm).