Orient lost 3-1 on Saturday at home to Scunthorpe to end their winning run.

All good things come to an end as in that turn of phrase from the 2006 Nelly Furtado top five tune. Christmas cheer did not come early after our eight-match winning run came to an abrupt halt.

It was Scunthorpe United, who were the latest League One side to grace the Brisbane Road turf, that did the damage in what was a shock win.

On paper their squad looked impressive with two ex-O's players Andy Barcham and Tom Newey in their line-up but their lowly league postion and form looked a dead cert home win.

But it was not to be they came at us from the start. They had most of the first half ball retention but lacked any real chances to finish in front of goal.

It was early in the second half when Orient had their best spell. They created some good moves which put the visitors under pressure but the game changed when United's best player and playmaker Mark Duffy gradually began to make his mark that led to his part in all three of their goals.

Their first came from full-back Christian Ribeiro who ran onto a pass from Duffy in the O's box and slipped the ball in at close range through O's keeper Ryan Allsop's legs.

The visitors' second came from a Duffy free kick just outside our box which Karl Hawley got on the end of to duly put in our net.

Kevin Lisbie gave us hope but their third came from a sweeping cross which Damien Mozika swung a leg at.

It was a bad day at the office with our players off form but I think it's just a blip.

The big grin is the run of eight straight wins in all three competitions and what's been really brilliant is six of them have been won away.

It warms my cockels when we do the business away on our travels. It has to be said the team and the fans have travelled thousands of road miles to gain a good league postion and a well-earned third round FA Cup tie with Championship side Hull City.

It's a game that should bring in the coffers and I take my hat off to all of you for that great achievement. It's also great that our Lisbie picked up player of the month since his return from injury.

His perfomances and goals have been a wonder and it's richly deserved. I also think Russell Slade should have got manager of the month seeing as we had all those wins.

Notts County next away then it's our Boxing Day home match with Swindon Town. Both teams are in the top half of the table and are playing well. The O's are playing with lots of confidence we can go into the festive games with a positive can do attitude.

Despite Saturday's setback I am sure we can get back on track to winning ways immediately. On that note it just leaves me to wish you all a happy and peaceful christmas.

Up the Os.