Leyton Orient Reserves 0 - 1 Charlton Athletic Reserves
Pontin's Holidays Combination Central Division

ORIENT'S Pontin's Holidays Combination campaign began in defeat on Tuesday evening when Charlton Athletic struck late on to secure a 1-0 Brisbane Road victory.

Chinese international striker Zheng Zhi (pictured) was the man who broke the deadlock with a downward header 12 minutes from time as Charlton left E10 as the happier side.

Both sides had a youthful look to them, and both had chances to strike before Zheng did.

But Orient didn't take their opportunities and they will look to open their Combination account at Crystal Palace next month.

The game started with chances at both ends and former O's loanee James Walker came close to opening the scoring in the fourth minute when he shot across the goalkeeper but also wide of the far post from 15 yards.

At the other end, O's defender Chris Robson poked over the top after stretching to reach James' corner.

Glenn Morris had to get down well to stop Josh Wright's angled drive after eight minutes.

New Zealand international triallist Chris James had Orient's next chance, shooting wide of the far post after Charlie Daniels had crossed well from the left and Raphael Sylvester's touch fell into his path.

Sylvester fired over the crossbar on 29, but James came closest to breaking the deadlock before the break when he curled a free-kick just past the near post six minutes later.

At the start of the second period, Jason Demetriou drilled a fierce effort just wide of the mark after exchanging passes with Sylvester on the edge of the box.

Charlton broke almost immediately and Scott Wagstaff beat Callum Hart for pace and rattled the frame of the goal with his strike.

With 59 minutes on the clock, left winger Danny Uchehi showed his fleet-footedness, skipping past Brandon Martin and Robson before firing a yard off target.

Five minutes later, Aswad Thomas should really have given the Addicks the lead, but he hooked a close range effort over the top after making a good near post run to reach a right wing corner.

Within 60 seconds, Efe Echanomi's pace almost paved the way for an Orient goal, but keeper Callum Christie was out just in time to block his effort after the striker ran onto Solomon Shields' through ball.

Echanomi was then guilty of wasting a glorious chance after Sam Long's poor header dropped straight to him ten yards from goal, but the O's youngster couldn't get over the ball and his volley flew over.

The same player shot straight at Christie on 75 minutes after Demetriou slipped him in, and that miss was to prove costly as Zheng headed the only goal of the game three minutes later.

Uchehi was the creator, standing up a good cross from the left for his striker to meet with a downward header that bounced up and into the top corner.

Orient: Glenn Morris; Brandon Martin (Scott Grange 88), Frankie Webb (Jack Page HT), Chris Robson, Callum Hart; Chris James, Solomon Shields, Jason Demetriou, Charlie Daniels; Efe Echanomi, Raphael Sylvester (Bradley Gray 71)

Subs: Michael Doyle (GK), Loick Pires