Kevin Lisbie: Leyton Orient striker eyes career-high promotion

Leyton Orient striker Kevin Lisbie says winning promotion to the Championship would rank as the best achievement in his 18-year senior career.

The 35-year-old scored 16 league goals as the O's finished third in the table.

Orient face Peterborough in the first leg of their League One play-off semi-final on Saturday at London Road.

"When I first came here we almost got relegated. It is a small club, a small squad and would be up there for me," he told BBC London 94.9.

"I played in the Premiership for a good few years but we have had to grind and work hard for this.

"I'm kicking on a little bit so this could be the last chance I have to have a promotion party.

"I'm more than capable of playing in the Championship. I keep myself fit and another bite at the Championship, with this club, would be great."

Orient were the early pace-setters in League One but eventually missed out on automatic promotion behind Wolves and Brentford after their challenge faded in February and March.

The east London club face a Peterborough side who are looking for an immediate return to the second tier in order to reach the Wembley final.

"Last year we missed out by three points and we always had our mindset on getting into the play-offs," Lisbie said.

"If we got top two it would have been a great achievement.

"We were in the top two for a while but Brentford and Wolves have got bigger squads and were more consistent over the season.

"We are realistic and wanted to get into the play-offs. We have reached our goal and are happy to be here."

Lisbie joined Orient in summer 2011 and has scored 44 goals in 104 league appearances for the Matchroom Stadium side.

The Hackney-born former Jamaica international has previously described O's boss Russell Slade as his perfect manager and says the team spirit instilled by the former Yeovil and Brighton boss has played a major part in their success this season.

"If you speak to any player or manager they'll tell you you need a tight group to win anything," Lisbie said.

"We've got good players but as a collective unit it has got us where we are. Long may it continue as we have got three massive games now.

"Russell's biggest strength is getting people together. He knows his players, how to handle them and how to speak to them.

"That is massive and has paid off this season."