Leyton Orient’s relegation fears increased significantly after a desperate 2-0 defeat at rivals Colchester United this afternoon.

Fabio Liverani’s side failed to get going in the opening stages and United deservedly took the lead after 14 minutes when Gavin Massey fired home.

Orient fell further behind two minutes after the break when Kaspars Gorkss headed home to send the visitors into the drop zone.

It ended a run of five consecutive home league defeats for Colchester and left the O’s facing a real struggle to avoid demotion to League Two.

The visitors made four changes to the team which drew at Preston with debuts for loan signings Ryan Hedges and Neil Eardley.

Romain Vincelot and Dean Cox also returned from injury with Kevin Lisbie and Scott Cuthbert not fit to play. Bradley Pritchard and Josh Wright dropped down to the bench.

Colchester created the first chance of the game as Sammie Szmodics set up debutant striker Chris Porter but his low effort was saved by Gary Woods.

Orient got off to a very slow start and it was no surprise when the U’s grabbed the opening goal. Massey pounced when he lashed a fierce shot past Woods from close range.

Hedges put in an attempted cross but the Swansea youngster’s delivery floated through towards goal and nearly troubled home goalkeeper Sam Walker.

The O’s had their best chance of the contest when the ball deflected off a defender and into the path of David Mooney but the striker’s shot drifted wide of the post.

Hedges again offered a threat down the right wing but no-one was able to get a touch on his cross as the attack was wasted.

Orient appealed for a penalty at the end of the half after claiming a Colchester player handled the ball but the referee waved play on.

The hosts doubled their lead two minutes into the second half when Gorkss headed home at the near post to leave the O’s in deep trouble.

It was so nearly 3-0 almost immediately when Woods raced out and missed the ball but Nathan Clarke managed to get back and block Porter from scoring.

The visitors again appealed for a penalty after Dean Cox’s shot was charged down, allegedly by a Colchester hand, but the referee ruled it was just a corner.

Orient nearly took advantage from the set piece but Vincelot headed narrowly past the post.

Liverani made his first change when he brought on Gianvito Plasmati for Mooney.

Cox had a half volley on goal but the winger’s effort was straight into the keeper’s arms as Orient desperately looked for a lifeline.

The visitors had the ball in the net when Chris Dagnall headed in a cross from Cox but the offside flag came to Colchester’s rescue.

The U’s were reduced to ten men in the last ten minutes when Elliott Hewitt was shown a red card for a late challenge on Vincelot.

Orient made another change when Pritchard was brought on late on in place of Hedges.

The O’s made yet another appeal for a penalty when Gary Sawyer’s shot appeared to strike Sean Clohessy on the hand.

Liverani made his final substitution with Andrea Dossena coming on for Sawyer.

Orient finally worked the keeper properly when Walker made a decent save to push John Lundstram’s shot around the post.

There were four minutes of injury time but the O’s could not find a way back as Colchester completed the double over them to leave Orient in serious trouble at the bottom of League One.

Colchester United: Walker; Briggs, Gorkss, Eastman, Clohessy ; Lapslie, Fox, Hewitt, Massey (Gordon, 86); Porter (Bonne, 92), Szmodics (Moncur, 84)

Subs not used: Lewington, Watt, Marriott, Sembie-Ferris

Leyton Orient: Woods; Sawyer (Dossena, 88), Lowry, Clarke, Eardley; Cox, Lundstram, Vincelot, Hedges (Pritchard, 85); Dagnall, Mooney (Plasmati, 64)

Subs not used: Omozusi, Lee, Wright, Grainger

Referee: M Heywood

Attendance: 5,668 (1,777 Orient fans)