Leyton Orient failed to hold onto an early lead after losing 3-1 at home to League One leaders Bristol City this evening.

Fabio Liverani’s side opened the scoring after just four minutes from a neat finish by Chris Dagnall. But the hosts found themselves 2-1 down before the halfway mark in the first period after goals from Luke Freeman and Aden Flint.

The Robins extended their lead on the hour mark through a close-range finish from Aaron Wilbraham to end Orient’s hopes of climbing out of the relegation zone.

The O’s selected an unchanged side following their win at Walsall on Saturday. Luke O’Neill made his home debut for Orient while the only change on the bench saw Gianvito Plasmati replace Gary Sawyer.

Orient got off to a dream start taking the lead after just four minutes. Mooney released strike partner Dagnall and he lofted the ball over goalkeeper Frank Fielding for the early opener.

But the hosts’ advantage lasted just eight minutes as the Robins equalised. Joe Bryan played the ball into Freeman and he fired home from close range.

Orient responded to this setback and Jobi McAnuff had an opportunity from outside the area but his low strike drifted wide of the target.

The O' major weakness at set pieces came back to haunt them again, midway through the half, when Freeman’s free-kick was headed home unmarked by Flint.

The hosts nearly grabbed an equaliser but Dagnall was denied after his shot was deflected over the bar.

Bristol City had the chance to extend their lead from a cross but Bryan and Freeman got in each others’ way and headed wide of the post.

McAnuff attacked the visitors before firing in a shot but his effort was pushed to safety by Fielding. The O’s kept the pressure on but Ryan Hedges blasted his effort well over the bar.

Orient had one last chance in the first period but captain Romain Vincelot headed over from a corner.

Marlon Pack almost extended the visitors’ lead straight after the restart but his powerful strike was parried by Alex Cisak.

The O’s almost levelled the contest from Andrea Dossena’s stunning long-range strike but Fielding managed to push the shot over the bar.

Within a minute the Robins had extended their lead when a cross from Bryan was tapped in by Wilbraham.

Liverani made his first substitution as he introduced Dean Cox in place of Hedges. This was quickly followed by Jay Simpson replacing Mooney in attack.

Orient were struggling to create any openings and the hosts made their final change with Plasmati thrown on for McAnuff.

The hosts had a late chance through Plasmati's overhead kick but it was pushed over by Fielding. Vincelot also went close but his first effort was charged down and the second flew wide.

But in truth it was a disappointing second half display from Liverani's side as the Robins comfortably claimed the points to leave Orient still in the bottom four. 

Leyton Orient: Cisak; Dossena, Baudry, Lowry, O'Neill; McAnuff (Plasmati, 80) Wright, Vincelot, Hedges (Cox, 67); Dagnall, Mooney (Simpson, 71)

Subs not used: Cuthbert, Clarke, Bartley, Woods

Bristol City: Fielding; Little, Ayling, Flint, Williams, Bryan; Smith, Pack, Freeman (Saville, 87); Agard (Wagstaff, 90), Wilbraham (Emmanuel-Thomas, 89)

Subs not used: Elliott, Richards, Cunningham, Tavernier

Referee: Iain Williamson