Chris Beech said he was “proud” of his Carlisle United players for going to the end to beat Leyton Orient in a highly eventful game.

George Tanner’s last-minute strike won it for the Blues after a match which saw them come from behind twice and both sides have penalties saved.

Head coach Beech praised United’s determination to win despite there being little riding on the game in terms of the play-off race, which was effectively over for both sides before kick-off.

“The amount of shots we had shows we are more dominant than the opponent,” Beech said.

“And I think the drive of the team to want to do well for the club was on show.

“I’m so proud of them for doing that in what you could call a game that has no worth at this point.

“Everything’s important to me and the lads, so maybe it’s a bit of that – they wanted to drive on and do their best, and in my eyes that’s what they did.”

Conor Wilkinson put the Os into a third-minute lead after pouncing on a Nick Anderton error.

Offrande Zanzala had a tame penalty saved by Orient’s Lawrence Vigouroux before going off injured shortly after.

Carlisle’s Magnus Norman conceded and then saved a Dan Kemp spot-kick at the other end before sub Jon Mellish fired the Blues level with his 16th of the season.

Kemp restored the hosts’ lead after a weak Aaron Hayden backpass before Lewis Alessandra netted the game’s third penalty.

Tanner then grabbed the winner in the 90th minute, meaning Carlisle are almost certain to finish the season in 10th position.

Beech added: “I think the game itself epitomises the whole season.

“Nick and Aaron were outstanding yet both in the first half made an individual mistake which gave Leyton their opportunities.

“We had 23 shots or so at goal, scored three goals, missed a penalty, hit the bar and the post [through Joe Riley and Joshua Kayode]…there’s a lot of activity going on in terms of attacking, and to win it near the end was excellent.

“It shows the intent of the lads which I’m really proud of, because it’s so easy to down tools with what’s gone on this season.

“I am a fighter and a driver to drive people on. Sometimes people misunderstand that drive, but the players, if they represent that drive, will benefit, because we’ll win more than we’ll lose.

“That’s our 18th win of the season, so that’s commendable.”

Beech felt United’s football was of a good standard and said he wants his team to play a better style generally – but that it must be effective.

He also claimed Orient's pitch was good because of "southern" conditions.

He said: “We played some good football and passed it well.

“It helps the pitch is…down south, it’s sunnier, warmer, grass grows quicker earlier in the year.

“There’s nothing we can do about that unless we invest in some heat lamps.

“It’s a pleasure to play on that grass pitch, as it was against Cheltenham, because there was a lot of grass on that too.

“When it’s like that we can play football more. I do want us to do that, but I want us to pass with a purpose. I want to play out from the back but not play at the back. There’s a balance to that and we got most of that right here.”

Beech felt Tanner has returned to form late in the campaign, the ex-Manchester United right-back netting his third goal for Carlisle at the Breyer Group Stadium.

“He’s back at it,” Beech said. “He was brilliant on Tuesday, after a bit of rest, and he trained well on Friday – I thank Chorley, we trained at their pitch on the way down.

“I’m just pleased we’ve got three points in London, in the city centre. I don’t know the last time the club’s been able to do that but I’m really pleased we’ve been able to do it here, especially with what happened in our home fixture with Leyton [a 90th-minute 1-0 defeat].

“I felt we deserved more within that game and they scored with the last kick. I’m really pleased we’ve been able to reverse that result.”