Leyton Orient snatch dramatic late win at Gillingham

Orient got off to a dreadful start and fell behind in the opening minutes when Adebayo Akinfenwa headed home. But Russell Slade's should have equalised before the break when Elliot Omozusi's penalty was saved by Stuart Nelson. 

The visitors levelled through Marvin Bartley but the drama came late on as substitute Lasimant netted a 90th minute winner for Orient.

The O's made four changes from the team beaten by Crawley Town. Jamie Jones was ruled out with a back injury so goalkeeper Jake Larkins got his first league start. Omozusi returned from suspension in place of Gary Sawyer.

Lloyd James was ruled out after picking up five bookings and Bartley replaced the midfielder. Dean Cox also recovered from illness to take his place instead of Lasimant. 

The hosts made an excellent start to the match and a long throw nearly gave them the lead but Adam Barrett's header was deflected behind off the post.

Gillingham punished the visitors and grabbed the opener after just four minutes when Akinfenwa rose to head a corner past Larkins. 

Peter Taylor's side were all over Orient and fired in another effort through Jake Hessenthaler which was saved. 

Gillingham went close again midway through the half from another long throw but Larkins managed to tip Akinfenwa's header over the bar. 

The visitors were handed a great chance to equalise when Kevin Lisbie was brought down in the area. But Omozusi was the unlikely penalty taker and his strike was saved by Nelson. 

The home side were still looking the more threatening side and went close again when Cody McDonald thumped his effort over the bar. 

Orient suffered another setback before the break when Shaun Batt pulled up with an injury and was swiftly replaced by Robbie Simpson. 

Gillingham should have made it 2-0 early on in the second half but McDonald dragged his shot wide of the post. 

The O's grabbed an equaliser with 20 minutes remaining when Bartley sent a thumping header from Cox's corner into the net.

Slade immediately made a second change as he introduced Sawyer in place of Scott Cuthbert. 

Orient were finishing the game strongly and came close to taking the lead through Cox but the winger's shot was pushed away by Nelson. 

The O's nearly took advantage of a mistake by Nelson but the keeper recovered from dropping the ball to save Simpson's shot. 

Orient made their final change when Lasimant was brought on in place of Lisbie. The Frenchman nearly grabbed a late winner but his shot was cleared off the line.

But Slade's side snatched the points and stayed top of the league after Lasimant netted from close range to send the O's bench wild. 

Gillingham: Nelson; Martin, Harriman, Legge, Barrett; Gregory, Dack (Fagan, 55), Lee, Hessenthaler; McDonald (Kedwell, 81), Akinfenwa (German, 62)

Subs not used: Howard, Davies, Allen, Daniels

Leyton Orient: Larkins; Omozusi, Clarke, Baudry, Cuthbert (Sawyer, 71); Cox, Vincelot, Bartley, Odubajo; Batt (Simpson, 41), Lisbie (Lasimant, 86)

Subs not used: Lee, Gorman, Ling, Grainger

Referee: Frederick Graham