Leyton Orient 0 - 1 Nottingham Forest
Coca-Cola League One
ORIENT'S inconsistent form shows little sign of changing after they fell to a 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
The O's lacked an attacking threat at Brisbane Road, but they will be bitterly disappointed with the manner of the match-deciding goal.
Goalkeeper Stuart Nelson seemed at fault as he failed to pull off what looked like a regulation save from Junior Agogo's low second half shot.
Instead it went under his dive and nestled in the net to leave Orient still outside the play-off zone.
The game started at a fantastic tempo and the first real chance fell to Jason Demetriou in the 11th minute. Stephen Purches made his way down the flank to send over a low cross which fizzed all the way across the area to Demetriou, who should have done better than send his low shot into Paul Smith's arms.
At the other end, Kris Commons controlled well on the edge of the box, turned and shot towards goal in the 19th minute, but Nelson was well positioned to save.
Chris Cohen sliced an effort wide shortly afterwards, but the best chance of the opening half hour fell to Grant Holt who found space at the near post to meet a Kris Commons cross. Holt's contact wasn't firm, though, and Stephen Purches deflected the shot wide.
Forest were starting to gain the upper hand and they ended the first half with a real purpose. The visitors forced a number of corners, but genuine opportunities were at a premium and Orient reached the interval with the scores level.
Sam Oji's foul on Commons eight minutes after the break provided the Forest man with a shooting chance from 20 yards. His free-kick cleared the wall, but not Nelson, who flew to his right to tip the ball over the bar.
Five minutes later, Nelson was forced into another save when Holt collected Commons' right-wing cross and shot on the turn. Fortunately for the O's, his effort was too centrally placed and Nelson's stop was a comfortable one.
There was the sense that a Forest goal was coming, but Agogo's 61st minute strike was a real gift. His low left-footed shot from 20 yards didn't look to carry much danger, but Nelson was too slow to get down and the ball squirmed under his dive and into the net.
Forest's lead was merited, but they almost handed Orient an equaliser on 69 when Wes Morgan got the ball stuck in his feet in attempt to defend a set piece, and in trying to clear, he hooked the ball against his own post.
But the visitors possess the best defensive record in the division and they showed Orient why they hold that distinction with a thoroughly professional closing out of the game.
They kept the home attackers well clear of danger, while forcing saves from Nelson with a header by Holt and a curling shot by Julian Bennett, as they claimed the three points that take them back into the automatic promotion places.
Leyton Orient: Nelson; Purches, Saah, Oji, Palmer; Gray (Thornton 71), Chambers, Terry, Demetriou (Daniels 79); Ibehre, Boyd (Barcham 79)
Subs: Thelwell, Morris (GK)
Nottingham Forest: Smith; Wilson, Morgan, Breckin; Chambers (Perch 90+1), Clingan, Cohen, Commons (Davies 84), Bennett; Holt, Agogo (McGugan 77)
Subs: Sinclair, Richardson (GK)
Goal: Agogo (61)
Booked: Breckin
Referee: Pat Miller (Bedfordshire)
Attendance: 7,136 (2,132 away)
