ORIENT slipped back into the League One drop zone after seeing their seven-match unbeaten away run go up in smoke at Colchester United on Sunday.

Steven Gillespie scored the only goal from the spot with 39 minutes on the clock and it turned out to be an afternoon to forget for the visitors as Adam Boyd missed a penalty and Sean Thornton was sent off.

Thornton saw red for two bookings, and he was one of seven O's players cautioned by referee Graham Scott.

Photos by Simon O'Connor.