Gillingham manager Martin Allen says he can fully understand why Leyton Orient are the early leaders in League 1.

Orient head to Priestfield on Tuesday night in the first round of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy having won every one of their five league matches this season.

Allen watched their only defeat this season, when they went down 1-0 in extra-time to Hull in the Capital One Cup last midweek.

He said: “They dominated that game from start to finish and I couldn’t believe they didn’t beat them.

“Russell Slade is a good manager. He has some excellent young players and some good experience as well. They are positive and that team has taken a good few years to build and put together. It is not surprising they are top of the league.”

Allen is attempting to build his own team to challenge at the top of League 1 and was full of respect for Slade. He said: “He has put together a fantastic team.”

The game kicks-off earlier than normal, at 7pm.