Leyton Orient 3 - 0 Exeter City
npower League 1

ORIENT recorded their first npower League 1 win of the season in style by smashing three past Exeter City at Brisbane Road on Saturday.

The O's were on fire from the off and could have had more than Alex Revell's header to show for their first half efforts.

Exeter's goal led a charmed life as both Adam Chambers and Revell struck the post.

The visitors threatened to come back into the contest at the start of the second half, but Orient quashed any thoughts of a turnaround with goals from Scott McGleish and Dean Cox in the final 20 minutes.

It was the least the O's deserved for an exceptional performance and they were able to celebrate a fine victory.

Orient began the game at a furious pace and Grecians keeper Paul Jones was almost left embarrassed in the second minute when he fumbled Stephen Dawson's goalbound volley before recovering to claw the ball over the top.

10 minutes later Charlie Daniels' deep cross from the left picked out McGleish. His header looped over Jones but defender Rob Edwards got back to clear off the line.

The O's early pressure was relentless and they went even closer a minute later when Elliot Omozusi's right wing cross was met with a header from Chambers that Jones palmed onto the post.

It was a role reversal from the previous week when Southampton placed the O's goal under so much pressure early on, and McGleish was next to go close, diverting his header over the top after Cox knocked Omozusi's cross back into the middle.

Cox then tried his luck but couldn't find a way past Jones after Revell spread the play to his flank in the 24th minute.

Exeter had hardly even got out of their own half and their goal was finally breached six minutes before the break.

Jones had no answer to Revell's expertly-diverted header after Omozusi sent a cross over from the right and the striker steered it into the top left corner.

Revell was inches away from doubling the lead soon after when his stunning 20 yard effort crashed against Jones' far post and the home side had to be content with a single-goal advantage at the interval.

Exeter fashioned their first real chance to wipe out that advantage two minutes after the break when John O'Flynn held off Terrell Forbes' challenge in the right channel and found Jamie Jones' legs with his shot.

Orient were forced into a defensive reshuffle when Daniels limped out of the action on 52 minutes. Jimmy Smith came on to play at right back, while Omozusi moved to the left.

The hosts weren't being allowed to dictate as they had done before half time and Exeter almost took advantage of Chambers' slip on 63. They worked Ryan Harley in down the left channel, but Forbes sensed the danger and flew across to block the wideman's shot.

Seven minutes later Orient were able to wrap the game up when McGleish took advantage of some hesitant defending to charge clear and slot past Jones.

Having scored the second, the home side could relax and they extended their lead in fine style 10 minutes later.

McGleish was involved again, controlling a lofted ball out of defence down the left before feeding the play inside for Cox. The O's winger took a touch, looked up and left Jones stranded with an exquisite chip.

O'Flynn flicked over the top in the final minute as Exeter looked for a consolation, but Orient held firm to claim a clean sheet and set the seal on a perfect afternoon.

Leyton Orient: Jones; Omozusi, Forbes, Chorley, Daniels (Smith 52); Spring; Chambers, Dawson, Cox; Revell, McGleish (Jarvis 85)
Subs: Brown, Butcher (GK), Porter, Téhoué, Cestor

Goals: Revell 39, McGleish 70, Cox 80

Booked: Revell, Omozusi

Exeter: P Jones; Tully (Archibald-Henville 73), Edwards (Thomson 76), B Jones, Golbourne; Dunne, Sercombe, Noble, Harley; Cureton (Logan 46), O'Flynn
Subs: Cozic, Watson, Heath, Krysiak (GK)

Booked: Dunne

Referee: Pat Miller

Attendance: 4,145 (665 away)