Leyton Orient 1 - 0 Oldham Athletic
Coca-Cola League One

ORIENT dug deep to ensure Charlie Daniels' early screamer was enough to see off Oldham Athletic at Brisbane Road on Saturday.

Daniels' stunning eighth minute drive was the first time Orient had scored a first half goal at home this season, and although they were pushed deep in defence by Oldham near the end, their rigid defending was more than enough to protect Stuart Nelson's goal.

Oldham lacked a cutting edge to match their build-up play and Orient, who were not at their free-flowing best for long periods, held the visitors' at arm's length and made sure Nelson wasn't overworked.

Orient haven't been known for their bright starts to games this season - especially at home - but they began this one in the perfect manner, taking an eighth minute lead with a goal of the highest quality.

Daniels made a storming run from the left to meet Jabo Ibehre's header with a crisp half-volley that whistled across Latics stopper Marlon Beresford and rocketed into the far corner.

Eight minutes later, Jabo Ibehre outpaced centre-half Stefan Stam to reach a long ball from the back.  The O's striker took the shot on, but the angle was against him and it flew over the crossbar.

Oldham's Andy Liddell offered the visitors' first real threat with 20 minutes on the clock, taking advantage of some space to shoot wide of the far post from range.

Then, four minutes later, a flowing midfield move involving Adam Boyd, Adam Chambers and Jason Demetriou ended with the latter running through on goal.  Latics defender Neal Trotman recovered superbly to deny the O's midfielder just as he looked poised to shoot.

At the other end, Daniels was called upon to make a brilliant clearing header from Chris Taylor's cross as Oldham looked to hit back, but Orient enjoyed the better of the opening half hour and deserved their lead.

Oldham had been restricted to long range efforts, but they were enjoying more possession as the first half came to a close and Orient went in at the break knowing that they couldn't rest on their laurels.

Ryan Bertrand had a shot deflected over the top and it was down the left, mainly through winger Taylor, that the visitors carried their main theat.

Adam Boyd fired over the crossbar on the hour, but the game was being played more in Orient's half by this stage.

It wasn't until the 85th minute that Stuart Nelson had a serious save to make, though, diving down to his left to repel Taylor's placed effort.

That chance came on the counter after Stam dived into produce a goal-saving block from substitute Wayne Corden, who had been intelligently played in by Boyd.

Demetriou then kicked Neal Trotman's header off the line as Oldham pressed in the closing stages, but Orient held on for the points.

Leyton Orient: Nelson; Purches, Thelwell, Mkandawire, Daniels; Melligan (Corden 83), Chambers, Terry, Demetriou (Saah 88); Ibehre (Gray 62), Boyd
Subs: Palmer, Echanomi

Goal: Daniels (8)

Booked: Terry, Boyd

Oldham: Beresford; Eardley, Stam, Trotman, Bertrand; Liddell (Hughes 67), McDonald (Allott 80), Kilkenny, Taylor; Davies, Smalley (Wolfenden 83)
Subs: Crossley (GK), Kalala

Booked: Stam, Bertrand

Referee: Andy Woolmer (Northamptonshire)

Attendance: 4,690 (334 away)