Doncaster Rovers 4 - 2 Leyton Orient
Coca-Cola League One

ORIENT fell to their second away defeat of the season when four Doncaster Rovers goals in a see-saw second period proved too much for them.

An incident-free first period gave little clue of what was to follow after the break, but the game opened up in spectacular fashion and with the O's having led 2-1 with 21 minutes left on the clock, they will be disappointed not to have taken anything from the game.

Ritchie Wellens' opener seven minutes after the game lit the blue touch paper as Orient responded with quickfire goals from Jabo Ibehre and Stephen Purches.

But Rovers, who ditched their overly-fussy first half approach in favour of a more purposeful gameplan after the break, swept the O's away with three strikes in the game's closing quarter to take all three points.

Orient's Paul Terry had the first serious effort on goal of the game, drilling comfortably over the crossbar after a cross from the well-advanced Purches was cleared to him on the edge of the area.

Doncaster were operating a fluid system, with wingers Lewis Guy and Sean McDaid swapping flanks at regular intervals to support lone frontman Hayter, but it was Orient who were enjoying the better of the opening exchanges and a quick break in the 20th minute ended with Purches sending over a cross that just failed to pick out an unmarked Jason Demetriou in the centre.

Two minutes later the home side's Sean McDaid sent a long range shot a whisker over the top to worry Stuart Nelson for the first time.

Adam Lockwood entered the book for reacting angrily to the visiting players' suggestions that he dived in an attempt to win a 32nd minute penalty, and nine minutes later home stopper Neil Sullivan gathered Ibehre's stinging drive at the second attempt.

Brian Saah then nodded a Demetriou corner over the top, but in truth it was a lacklustre first half which lacked goalmouth action.

Rovers boss Sean O'Driscoll replaced McDaid with Jason Price at the break, and the change almost paid immediate dividends as midfielder Brian Stock fired just wide of the far post from 25 yards.

And five minutes later, a lucky break in the box provided the home side with the opportunity to take the lead.  Gareth Roberts' free-kick was deflected off the wall into the danger area and the ball fell nicely for Wellens to tuck home.

Doncaster proceeded to apply some pressure, but Orient hit back in the best possible way by levelling four minutes later.  Adam Chambers was the instigator of the move, driving forward from midfield and exchanging passes with Terry before collecting Adam Boyd's header.

Chambers lofted the ball over Sullivan and Ibehre was on the spot to apply the finishing touch from five yards.

The game had really come to life and Orient took the lead 12 minutes later when a slip from Roberts presented Purches with the chance to move into the box.  Ibehre was square, but the O's skipper decided to go for goal himself and it proved to be a wise decision as he slid the ball under Sullivan.

But Rovers were level within a minute, Guy getting the better of Purches to cross for Price, who turned away from his man and found the top corner from eight yards.

The topsy-turvy nature of the second period continued, and a Doncaster corner with 15 minutes to go paved the way for a good Orient break.  Nelson rolled the ball to Melligan, who raced half the length of the field before passing to Boyd, whose shot was deflected into Sullivan's arms.

Hayter then had a goal ruled out after referee Neil Swarbrick decided he had fouled Charlie Daniels in the build-up and there was barely time to catch breath.

Doncaster were the team to strike the decisive blow, though, with Hayter finding himself well positioned to finish acrobatically from close range after Paul Green had found space at the far post from a set piece to control and force a save from Nelson with a fierce shot.

The ball dropped for ex-Bournemouth man Hayter to hook into the net, and then, with three minutes left, the home side made sure of the points when Wellens made a good burst from midfield to run at Brian Saah, square the O's defender up and sidefoot home from eight yards.

Doncaster: Sullivan; O'Connor, Lockwood, Mills, Roberts; Stock; Guy (Green 78), Wilson, Wellens, McDaid (Price 46); Hayter (Greer 86)
Subs: Woods, Nelthorpe

Goals: Wellens (52, 87), Price (69), Hayter (82)

Booked: Lockwood

Leyton Orient: Nelson; Purches, Mkandawire, Saah, Daniels; Melligan, Chambers, Terry, Demetriou (Corden 78); Ibehre, Boyd (Gray 78)
Subs: Thelwell, Morris (GK), Palmer

Goals: Ibehre (56), Purches (68)

Booked: Chambers, Saah

Referee: Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire)

Attendance: 7,184 (563 away)