Leyton Orient won 2-1 against Dagenham & Redbridge in their penultimate pre-season friendly ahead of the 2016/17 season at the Chigwell Construction Stadium.

The Daggers got the first goal of the match as Oliver Hawkins scored from six-yards as he beat Orient keeper Charlie Grainger.

But Armand Gnanduillet gave manager Andy Hessenthaler another headache over his choice of five strikers as he equalised for the O’s just before half time before Paul McCallum added a second in stoppage time.

Orient once again showed great promise and footballing skill as Hessenthaler tests the team out ahead of his decision for his starting XI against Cheltenham on Saturday, August 6.

It was an early chance for the home side as Fejiri Okenabirhie curls an effort wide of the left-hand post.

Four minutes later, the hosts had another chance as Jordan Maguire Drew found himself space inside the box but he dragged his shot wide.

The O’s got their first chance of the game in the 12th minute as Dean Cox made a well-timed pass who turned well before he dragged his shot wide of the post.

Dagenham kept pushing the O’s defence and it was in the 18th minute Hawkins got the reward as he tapped in at the back post from an Okenabirhie cross.

Orient kept pressing for the equaliser and Josh Koroma floated in a great cross for Sammy Moore who could only manage to head wide.

A minute later, Dagenham should have made it 2-0 as Orient fail to clear their lines but Assombalonga fired over the cross bar from close range.

However, the O’s didn’t give up and a fast move from the Gnanduillet found Cox with space on the edge of the area but he hit his effort over the bar.

Koroma, four minutes before the break, gave Orient their best chance of the game as he flicked the ball over Joe Widdowson as his volley went inches wide of the post.

The League Two side eventually found the equaliser as Gnanduillet tapped the ball home as Sammy Moore played the ball out to Cox who received another assist in pre-season.

But the National League side could have easily made it 2-1 shortly after but Grainger quickly got a palm to the ball just before Hawkins was called for offside.

The O’s started brightly in the second half as Gnanduillet showed good strength and left daggers captain Scott Doe on the floor but his lucky shot from a tight angle smashed off the bar.

Four minutes later there was a break in play after a clash of heads between Erichot and Hawkins but both got back up and remained on the pitch.

Gnanduillet tried to make it two in the 57th minute as he tried an ambitious bicycle kick as it went wide of the post.

Ex Bury player Reece Brown tried his luck from 40-yards after a decent delivery from Cox but his effort went wide of the post.

Okenabirhie tried to ensure the home side took the lead once again before his cross was pushed behind well by sub keeper Ales Cisak.

Sub Freddie Moncur pounced on a defensive slip and pulled the ball back for McCallum but his shot was deflected and Cousins made the save.

Massey, who came on as a sub in the second half, also received a chance in the 83rd minute as he fired a shot from outside the area following some excellent passing moves from the middle of the field.

Two minutes before full time Liam Kelly’s corner finds Reece Brown at the near post but his header went over the bar.

McCallum then reaped his rewards in the 91st minute as his first header is superbly kept out by Cousins but he made no mistake in the follow up as he headed in from close range.

It is the east London clubs third pre-season win as they go on to face Gillingham on Saturday, July 30 at Brisbane Road.

Orient starting XI: Grainger, Parkes, Cox, Palmer, Moore, Atangana, Doherty, Gnanduillet, Judd, Brown, Koroma