Port Vale 2 - 1 Leyton Orient
Coca-Cola League One
ORIENT were punished for a poor second half showing at relegation-haunted Port Vale on Saturday, who scored twice in the final 15 minutes to overturn a one-goal deficit and inflict defeat on the visitors.
The O's were cruising at the break thanks to Adam Boyd's penalty, but they failed to build on their lead and saw their game fall apart late on.
Marc Richards hammered in Vale's leveller 15 minutes from time and David Howland completed the turnaround in stoppage time, leaving Orient with a miserable journey home.
Orient started strongly and created a chance for Jason Demetriou in the first 30 seconds when Adam Chambers got in down the right and sent over a low cross. Demetriou couldn't make contact with the ball, however, and the chance passed.
Seven minutes later Adam Boyd sent a looping header just wide of the mark, while Howland did well to cut out Andy Barcham's cross after he skinned left back Adam Eckersley.
Vale were looking shaky at the back and Orient took advantage of their superiority in the 26th minute when Barcham and Jabo Ibehre combined in the right channel to set up a shooting opportunity, but before Ibehre could get an effort on goal away, he was dragged down by Eckersley.
The assistant referee immediately flagged for a penalty and Boyd showed his usual expertise from the spot, drilling the ball powerfully to Anyon's right.
Eight minutes later, Tamika Mkandawire - back in the side following a hernia operation - came close to scoring in a scramble following Demetriou's right wing corner. The O's defender managed to get a shot in. but Eckersely got in the way and deflected it over the top.
Port Vale's main threat was coming from set plays and Paul Harsley's 41st minute corner dropped to Marc Richards at the far post, but Alton Thelwell got across to block.
The second period started in similar fashion, with Barcham glancing a Jason Demetriou cross just wide of the mark on 48 minutes.
Seven minutes later, Glenn Morris was forced into his first saves of the afternoon. First he got down sharply to block Danny Whitaker's angled drive, and as Port Vale collected possession again outside the area, he had to dive to the left to stop Simon Richman's stunning right-footed effort.
Morris had to touch Richman's cross over the top as the home side threatened to get back into the contest and they did manage to find a leveller with 15 minutes left on the clock.
Eckersley's left-wing cross travelled all the way across to Richards at the far post, who had time to control on his chest before smashing home
The hosts created two chances shortly afterwards, with Richards shooting over and Morris gatherig Danny Whitaker's drive at the second attempt, while at the other end Mkandawire went even closer, whose spectacular overhead kick hit the outside of the post.
Port Vale made the most of their let off, sealing all three points in the final minute of stoppage time when Howland swept home from close range after Mkandawire was caught in possession at the half way line, allowing Harsley to cross for Richards to head back to Whitaker.
His fierce drive was parried by Morris, but Howland was lurking to gobble up the loose ball and condemn Orient to defeat.
Port Vale: Anyon; Harsley, Pilkington, Pearce, Eckersley (Talbot 76); Richman (Lawrie 82), Whitaker, Howland, Perry; Rodgers (Mulligan 87), Richards
Subs: McGregor, Edwards
Goals: Richards (75), Howland (90+3)
Booked: Eckersley
Leyton Orient: Morris; Purches, Thelwell, Mkandawire, Daniels; Barcham (Thornton 74), Chambers, Terry, Demetriou; Ibehre (Gray 74), Boyd
Subs: Nelson (GK), Palmer, Fortune
Goal: Boyd (pen 26)
Booked: Terry
Referee: Andy Hall (West Midlands)
Attendance: 3,252 (184 away)
