Leyton Orient 0 - 1 Huddersfield Town
Coca-Cola League One

ORIENT'S play-off hopes took another blow when Luke Beckett's late goal gave Huddersfield Town a 1-0 victory at Brisbane Road on Saturday.

Beckett's close range finish, with 15 minutes left on the clock, was enough to settle a tight game and send Orient down to 11th in the table.

The home side didn't overly trouble the Terriers' backline on a frustrating afternoon, and Huddersfield keeper Matt Glennon only had to make second half saves from Jason Demetriou and Jabo Ibehre.

One goal was always likely to prove decisive, and it was Huddersfield's Beckett who claimed it.

Ibehre created a chance for himself in the ninth minute, receiving possession on the edge of the box and making room for a shot.  However, his eventual effort lacked power and visiting keeper Glennon saved easily.

Three minutes later, Phil Jevons was inches away from giving Huddersfield the lead. Malvin Kamara was set free down the right and his terrific cross begged to be put away, but Jevons couldn't oblige, glancing the ball just past the far post.

Kamara was looking dangerous early on, and he engineered room to fizz in a cross-shot on 21, but Glenn Morris was alert enough to gather.

Huddersfield enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges, so Orient re-jigged their midfield into a diamond - with Sean Thornton playing behind the front two - in an effort to gain the upper hand.

However, their efforts were being hampered by an inability to retain possession in away territory and the play was becoming scrappy at the interval neared.

Chris Brandon skied an effort over the crossbar after Kamara cut a ball back to him on the edge of the box, while Demetriou curled over the top as Orient broke, but half time came with neither team able to get on the scoresheet.

Six minutes after the interval, good work from Ibehre in the right hand channel created a shooting opportunity for Demetriou from 20 yards.  His left-footed drive was goalbound, but Glennon dived to his right to get two strong hands to the ball and divert it away from danger.

At the other end, Robbie Williams curled a weak free kick into Glenn Morris' hands following a foul on Nathan Clarke just outside the area, and the same player drove fiercely at goal shortly afterwards - but again straight at Morris.

Demetriou's long range effort deflected off Frank Sinclair and dropped just wide of the post on the hour as both sides continued to probe for the opener.

For Huddersfield, left back Williams was always willing to have a go when cutting inside from the touchline and he drew another regulation stop from Morris when he sent in a powerful low shot from 25 yards with 65 minutes on the clock.

Defences remained on top, though, and Orient changed things around by introducing Adam Boyd and JJ Melligan from the bench.

The Irishman took up a position behind the strikers - rather than on the right hand side - with Thornton moving to the flank.

And Melligan was involved almost immediately, finding space behind the Town backline to reach Aiden Palmer's lofted pass and cross low for Boyd, who stabbed wide under pressure.

Another substitute, Huddersfield's Beckett, also came close to making an instant impact, sending a glancing header wide of the mark following another inviting Kamara cross.

But, with 15 minutes left to play, Beckett made up for that, slamming home from close range after linking up well with strike partner Andy Booth to reach his low cross.

Glennon saved from Ibehre as the O's looked for a leveller, but Orient hadn't offered enough as a creative force throughout the afternoon and Huddersfield were able to claim the points.

Leyton Orient: Morris; Purches (Melligan 68), Thelwell, Saah, Palmer; Thornton (Barcham 80), Chambers, Terry, Demetriou; Gray (Boyd 64), Ibehre
Subs: Nelson (GK), Daniels

Huddersfield: Glennon; Sinclair, Page, Clarke, Williams; Kamara (Berrett 87), Collins (Worthington 74), Holdsworth, Brandon; Booth, Jevons (Beckett 71)
Subs: Hardy, Smithies (GK)

Goal: Beckett (75)

Booked: Holdsworth

Referee: Russell Booth (Nottinghamshire)

Attendance: 4,660 (432 away)