Leyton Orient made history by going 13 games unbeaten for the first time thanks to a comprehensive 5-1 win over Braintree Town this evening.

Macauley Bonne netted the second Orient hat-trick of his career while Josh Koroma and Marvin Ekpiteta celebrated their England C call-ups with a goal apiece to seal a comfortable win for the O’s, ensuring they remain at the top of the table in the National League.

Head coach Justin Edinburgh named an unchanged line-up for the ninth game running, although there was a welcome return for James Brophy, who replaced Matt Harrold on the bench.

After James Dayton had stung the palms of Ben Killup early on, the O’s were handed a great chance to open the scoring in the seventh minute, when referee David Rock pointed to the spot after Koroma was tripped by Joe Ellul inside the area.

Bonne stepped up and made it three goals in as many games when he planted his spot-kick beyond the despairing dive of Killup to hand the O’s an early lead.

Braintree, who had recorded just six points from their opening 12 games, would rally though and after former Fulham youngster Lyle Della Verde had stung the palms of Dean Brill, the Iron striker would get the National League strugglers back on level terms when he capitalised on a scramble in the box to slot home in the 23rd minute.

The O’s have shown plenty of character this season and they responded in positive fashion by retaking the lead five minutes before the break through centre-back Ekpiteta.

Charlie Lee’s long throw caused havoc in the Braintree area meaning the ball was only partially cleared to Jobi McAnuff, whose excellent cross was met by Bonne who forced an excellent save from Killup.

But Ekpiteta, who was handed his maiden England C call-up earlier this afternoon, was first to the rebound, firing home from close-range to score his third of the season to hand Orient the lead at the break.

12 minutes after the re-start and it was three, as Koroma beat Killup to a long ball in behind the Braintree defence, before superbly lobbing the Iron goalkeeper from 25-yards to further increase the O’s advantage.

Orient were in full control by this point and Bonne doubled his tally for the evening when he made it four with 25 minutes remaining, having been left completely unmarked at the far post following Lee’s long throw.

Dale Gorman then replaced Craig Clay but star striker Bonne would waste little time in netting his hat-trick, which arrived in the 70th minute.

The O’s talisman raced towards goal having been released in behind Braintree’s back-line and showed his predatory instincts by making no mistake from 12 yards to score his ninth of the campaign.

James Alabi and Brophy came on for late cameo appearances for the O’s, who saw out the remaining 15 minutes with few problems to make it a record breaking 13 games unbeaten, leaving them two points clear at the top of the National League ahead of Saturday’s match against Sutton United at Brisbane Road.