Leyton Orient 1 - 2 Bristol Rovers
Coca-Cola League One

ORIENT remain in the League One drop zone after failing to take advantage of a second half lead against Bristol Rovers on Saturday.

Adam Boyd looked set to give the Londoners a timely boost when he nodded Martin Ling's side in front 11 minutes after half time.

But Rovers hit back through Jeff Hughes before Alton Thelwell's error gifted sub Darryl Duffy a late winner.

It sent Orient to their fifth successive defeat and leaves them in 21st position - one place below the danger line.

Glenn Morris' palms were stung by a fierce Chris Lines drive in the ninth minute, while Jason Demetriou forced a comfortable low stop from Steve Phillips as both sides traded early long-range efforts.

Rovers left winger Hughes gave the O's a scare on 16 minutes when he just beat Stephen Purches to Craig Disley's low ball, but his snatched effort flew wide of the near post.

Thelwell then had his heart in his mouth as Jo Kuffour threatened to outrun the defender, but he couldn't direct his left footed effort on target.

Purches had to clear Disley's dangerous low cross from in front of goal as Rovers stretched the O's defence in the 26th minute.

At the other end Charlie Daniels fired into the side netting from a tight angle after breaking clear of a couple of challenges as Orient looked for inspiration.

Rovers' Rickie Lambert was a whisker away from giving his side the lead with a 20-yard free-kick on 36 following a Thelwell foul on Kuffour.

The visitors had enjoyed the better of a fairly nondescript first half, but Orient had a glorious chance to open the scoring seven minutes into the second period.

Half time sub Ryan Jarvis charged down a Rovers clearance and fed the ball to Boyd.  The O's striker decided against a shot and tried to play JJ Melligan in, but the pass had too much weight on it and Phillips saved.

It sparked a decent spell of pressure from the O's and they were rewarded after 56 minutes when Boyd rose to nod Dean Morgan's inswinging corner beyond Phillips and into the back of the net.

Eight minutes later Morgan had Phillips worried with a free kick that the Rovers stopper needed to tip behind.

The O's were far more of an attacking threat than in the first period and Boyd shot over after Demetriou dispossesed Stuart Campbell in midfield.

But Orient's lead was wiped out 16 minutes from time when Kuffour beat Daniels down the right and crossed low for Duffy.  His shot was blocked by Tamika Mkandawire, but the ball fell for Hughes to squeeze home from eight yards.

Five minutes later Rovers completed the turnaround - and once again the O's only had themselves to blame.  Thelwell's heavy touch presented Duffy with a free run on goal and he made no mistake, prodding under Glenn Morris to give the visitors the lead.

Boyd volleyed inches over as the O's looked to hit back but Orient were beaten as their home woes continue.

Leyton Orient: Morris; Purches, Thelwell, Mkandawire, Daniels; Melligan, Thornton (Morgan 33), Chambers, Demetriou; Boyd, Parkin (Jarvis 46)
Subs: Saah, Jones (GK), Cave-Brown

Goal: Boyd 56

Booked: Parkin

Bristol Rovers: Phillips; Green, Hinton, Elliott, Lescott; Disley, Lines (Duffy 65), Campbell, Hughes (Jacobson 85); Lambert, Kuffour (Pipe 81)
Subs: Anthony, Langley

Goals: Hughes 74, Duffy 79

Booked: Elliott, Green

Referee: Andy Hall (West Midlands)

Attendance: 4,262 (700 away)