Ling's side won their opening six league matches this season (Getty)

Leyton Orient's manager Martin Ling warned his side not to let the season fade away after Saturday's 2-1 defeat.

He told BBC London 94.9 after the defeat to Port Vale: "At this moment in time if we continue on the run we're on we could end up in 15th or 16th."

He added: "Then everyone says it's a small improvement, but nowhere near what it should have been or looked like it was going to be."

The O's were undefeated for their first six matches this season.

He said: "I didn't want it to fade away but three defeats on the trot, it's starting to do so."

"We came 20th last year and we want to see an improvement and the bigger the improvement the better.

"Then you can say you've had an improvement this year and then we want to improve next year."

The manager also noted it will be difficult for his players mentally when preparing for the next campaign if they finish this season in the lower half.