Oldham edge out Orient in battle of League One strugglers

11 March 2010

Oldham Athletic 2 Leyton Orient

ORIENT'S hopes of edging closer to safety were shattered when struggling Oldham claimed three precious points on Tuesday night, writes Trevor Davies.

The desire to banish Saturday's dismal display at Mk Dons from their memory disappeared when Deane Smalley broke the deadlock on 20 minutes, before Dale Stephens struck at the start of the second half.

That gave Orient too much of a mountain to climb.

Manager Geraint Williams shuffled his frontline as Jonathan Tehoue and James Scowcroft led the attack, with Scott McGleish and Ryan Jarvis dropped to the bench.

Fit again Charlie Daniels replaced Andrew Cave-Brown and Luke Ashworth came in for the injured Ben Chorley.

With Adam Chambers also returning, the O's boss made a total of five changes, but again they lacked a real cutting edge on another night to forget.

However, Williams was able to take a few crumbs of comfort.

"It's the same outcome as Saturday, but a better performance, I thought," he said after the game.

"I thought it was a positive start. We got on the front foot and pressed them and you could tell the crowd were a bit pensive and their players a bit nervous.

"The only things that let us down - and they are the most important things - were that we conceded chances a little too easily in one box and then when we got up to the other, the quality wasn't good enough to break them down.

"That's what has resulted in another defeat."

After an even start, O's went close in the 19th minute when Tehoue headed over a Jason Demetriou corner.

It was a costly miss, as 60 seconds later Oldham were ahead when Smalley swept down the right, combined with Pawel Abbott and produced a neat finish.

"Goals change games and from that moment they seemed to get a lift and it knocked us back," said Williams.

"The second goal, so soon after half time was the killer blow and we were caught out with a really soft goal.

"All of a sudden we were 2-0 down and it's a long way back."

Orient: Jones 6, Purches 5, N Mkandawire 6, Ashworth 5, Daniels 6, Doran 5 (Baker 61), Chambers 6, Smith 5, Demetriou 5 (McGleish 79), Tehoue 6 (Jarvis 74), Scowcroft 6. Subs: Morris, Thornton, Cave-Brown, Mike.

Att: 3,126 (inc 112 O's fans).

Orient bookings Chambers, Daniels.