Leyton Orient 0 - 2 Leeds United
Coca-Cola League One

ORIENT were consigned to their fourth consecutive defeat by a clinical Leeds United side at Brisbane Road on Saturday.

Paul Huntington and Jermaine Beckford were on target to fire the visitors back into the play-off positions and send Orient down to 12th in the League One table - their lowest position of the season.

Dougie Freedman had the ball in the net after 12 minutes, but his far post volley was ruled out as he had strayed offside to meet Jonathan Howson's cross.

Four minutes later, though, the visitors did take the lead when Tamika Mkandawire was penalised for a handball in the right channel, allowing Bradley Johnson to whip in a free kick for Huntington to nod home from close range.

Leeds looked to press on and Freedman curled a low effort into Morris' arms after a high ball had dropped to him on the edge of the area.

At the other end, Mkandawire wasted a good chance to level on 20 when he skied over with his left foot from close range after latching onto Jabo Ibehre's knock down.

It took a great double save from Glenn Morris on the half hour to keep Leeds' advantage at one, first blocking Howson's effort after the midfielder had made a superb run to collect a lofted ball forward, and then diving to the left to fingertip Freedman's follow-up effort behind.

Six minutes later, Beckford really should have made it 2-0, but he failed to hit the target after Orient switched off at a free-kick, allowing Freedman to slip his strike partner clear.

Adam Boyd turned and shot straight at Ankergren from 20 yards as the interval neared, but Leeds had been the more potent force in the opening period.

And they didn't have to wait long after the interval before doubling their lead, with Beckford drilling home from 10 yards after Purches gave the ball high up the pitch, allowing Leeds to break quickly and Freedman to cross..

How Leeds didn't make it three five minutes later is anyone's guess as Beckford's acrosbatic close range effort sparked a massive goalmouth scramble, which Adam Chambers somehow emerged from with the ball.

The visitors had a rare scare midway through the half when Ankergren came to the edge of his box to collect a cross, but spilled the ball. Demetriou took possession, but clipped his shot wide.

Ibehre also fired off target from range, but that was as close as Orient came to making an impression on an afternoon where they were second best.

Leyton Orient: Morris; Purches, Thelwell (Oji 41), Mkandawire, Daniels; Barcham (Gray 67), Chambers, Terry (Thornton 60), Demetriou; Ibehre, Boyd
Subs: Palmer, Echanomi

Booked: Ibehre, Mkandawire

Leeds: Anergren; Richardson, Michalik, Huntington, Sheehan; Kilkenny (Hughes 78), Howson, Douglas, Johnson (Prutton 73); Beckford (Kandol 65), Freedman
Subs: Lucas (GK), Elding

Goals: Huntington (16), Beckford (50)

Referee: Keith Stroud (Hampshire)

Attendance: 7,602 (2,735 away)