The cliché says ten men are harder to beat then 11 and Leyton Orient discovered this to their detriment by extending their winless home run to three games with a 2-0 defeat to ten-man Colchester United.

Having been reduced to ten men just before the break, following the dismissal of skipper Magnus Okuonghae, Colchester twice scored against the run of play in the second period to end their winless start to the season.

The win was Colchester’s first of the season and their fourth point garnered from two games under the stewardship of new boss Tony Humes.

Conversely, Orient are now winless in three League 1 fixtures at Brisbane Road this season and sit just a point and a place above the relegation zone.

Russell Slade set Orient up in a 4-4-2 system, with debutant Michael Petrasso starting down the right-hand side in favour of Dean Cox, whilst David Mooney was accommodated down the left, ahead of Jobi McAnuff.

Between the sticks, Gary Woods was handed his league debut, with regular number one Adam Legzdins injured. Youngster Charlie Grainger was backup goalkeeper.

Bradley Pritchard and Marvin Bartley started in the centre of midfield and Darius Henderson and Chris Dagnall were the forward pairing.

Scott Cuthbert, Nathan Clarke, Mathieu Baudry and Shane Lowry comprised the back four.

Orient struggled to create chances early on, despite seeing more of the ball than Humes’ side. This was a theme which would continue throughout the contest.

New-boy Petrasso, signed on loan from Premier League side Queens Park Rangers on Thursday afternoon, provided the spark of creativity from the right-hand side.

It took until the 34th minute for a real sight of goal for the O’s; Clarke delivering an inviting cross to the back post for Mooney, who saw his effort blocked.

Baudry had a penalty shout a few minutes later after being brought down inside the penalty area; Dagnall seeing his follow-up deflected wide for a corner.

It was Dagnall who came close again just five minutes before the break, heading Cuthbert’s cross over the visitors’ crossbar.

Colchester United found themselves down to ten men just before the break when captain and man-mountain at the back, Okuonghae, was dismissed for a horrible challenge on Mooney.

Midfielder Alex Gilbey was also booked for his part in the ensuing melee as referee Mr Keith Stroud responded to the defender’s challenge with the only course of action possible.

As the half drew to a close, the O’s created a good chance, debutant Petrasso crossing to the back post where Henderson climbed well to nod down for Dagnall; U’s keeper Sam Walker sharply off his line to block.

The visitors had the first chance of the second period, Gavin Massey somehow contriving to plant a side-footed effort comfortably wide after being found in space 12 yards from goal.

Former West Ham United youngster Sears then came as close as anyone had for the U’s.

A flick-on from fellow forward Watt released Sears into the penalty area, the wideman attempting a deft lob which was superbly clawed wide by the agile Woods.

The O’s had been on top from the re-start, forcing a succession of corners without taking advantage of Colchester’s numerical disadvantage.

However, in the 62nd minute it was the Essex outfit who took the lead against the run of play from one of Orient’s many flag kicks.

Cuthbert saw his effort blocked by the sea of yellow shirts and the visitors then broke to deadly effect; the pacy Watt sprinting away to plant a left-footed effort low beyond Woods from 18 yards.

Orient almost responded five minutes later when Lowry saw a firm header pushed wide by the agile Walker in the visitors’ goal.

A defensive slip-up could have seen Sears double Colchester’s lead in fortuitous circumstances, the wideman bringing a fine stop out of Woods at his near post from an acute angle.

In the 73rd minute, the O’s were picked apart by a simple move, allowing Humes’ side to go 2-0 up.

An earlier Baudry error had gone unpunished but the French defender would not be so lucky a second time as Sears out-sprinted him to reach a ball over the top, before controlling and slamming past Woods at the near post to double Colchester’s lead.

Slade’s men continued to battle in vain and nearly drew blood when substitute Jay Simpson tested Walker at his near post but the hosts could not find a way past the former Chelsea gloveman.

Leyton Orient: Woods; Cuthbert (Simpson 82), Clarke, Baudry, Lowry; Petrasso (McAnuff 69), Pritchard, Bartley (Cox 65), Mooney; Dagnall, Henderson.

Subs: Grainger (GK), Omozusi, Batt, Lee.

Colchester United: Walker; Clohessy, Okuonghae, Eastman, Gordon; Gilbey, Szmodics (Kent 45), Moncur (Vose 80); Sears, Massey, Watt (Eastmond 73).

Subs: Lewington (GK), Wright, Lawrence, Bonne.

Attendance: 5,313 (711 away).

Referee: Mr Keith Stroud.