His view was fully justified only half an hour into the game as his side raced into an unlikely five goal lead and then went nap to record their biggest league win since the 6-1 demolition of Wimbledon in the old Second Division in March 1985.

The result was all the more unlikely as Leyton Orient were coming to Carlisle off the back of an impressive 4-1 FA Cup win at First Division Portsmouth. But the Londoners could have no complaints as they were meticulously dismantled by an impressive show of attacking football.

A delighted Collins said after the game: “I’m absolutely over the moon. A two week layoff was nice but you do get concerned with three weeks particularly regarding the physical condition of the players. But the players bodies showed great resilience and the players knew they weren’t going to be beaten today. I told them it was a must win situation and put them under a bit of pressure which I don’t like doing but their response was great. We played some excellent football but goals change games and Ian Stevens proved his worth again and maybe if I had been playing him earlier he might have been top of the scoring charts now. He’s now doing the business and I am delighted for him. The only thing I plead for is that people judge me on the players I bring into the club and the type of football I want to play. Competition for places breeds success and I want another couple of players in because I want every player under pressure on the park because that keeps a good edge.”

The goals came thick and fast and with only two minutes gone Peter Murphy’s ball into the left channel sent Ian Stevens clear to steer home a left foot shot past Orient keeper Scott Barrett.

Five minutes later Richie Foran set Stevens away down the left and his low cross was volleyed home by Steve Soley.

The third goal came on 15 minutes when a weak clearance from Billy Jones was headed back into the box by Soley and Stevens reacted the quickest to slot home his second.

Richie Foran was then pushed to the ground by Dean Smith and the Carlisle’s top scorer said thank you by despatching the resulting penalty into the top corner.

A rare Orient attack on 22 minutes saw Peter Keen make a diving save from Wayne Gray but normal service soon resumed with a McGill effort from 30 yards testing Barrett.

Number five came with 32 minutes gone as Murphy found acres of space down the left before getting in a cross, only for Stevens’ header to be saved by Barrett. But the veteran striker was not to be denied his hat trick as he reacted first to force the rebound over the line.

The second half became a predictable anti climax with Orient reduced to a damage limitation exercise and Carlisle unable to sustain their head of steam.

Orient did pull a goal back on 73 minutes when a Iyseden Christie pass found Gray in space to shoot past Keen, but Carlisle’s advantage was resumed with eight minutes remaining. Brendan McGill took Foran’s through ball in his stride before drawing Barrett and placing his shot into the bottom corner.

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