Leyton Orient head coach Ian Hendon admits it was refreshing to play the younger players after handing out five debuts in tonight's 2-1 defeat at Luton Town in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

Goalkeeper Charlie Grainger and Liverpool defender Joe Maguire started the game before Freddy Moncur, 16-year-old Myles Judd and Sandro Semedo came off the bench for their first appearances for the club.

Hendon said: "We had a 16-year-old come on at right-back and it's great. I'm really pleased the lads have got their opportunity.

"Sandro's been in and around it since the start. Freddy Moncur's been in and around it from the start. Joe Maguire's come in tonight and made his debut and I thought he did great to play centre half which is not really his position but can play there and I thought he did really well. 

"It's refreshing to put young lads in and none of them disappointed tonight."

Orient appeared to be heading for a penalty shootout after Lloyd James' spot-kick cancelled out Danny Green's opener. But a 90th minute deflection from Stephen O'Donnell sent the Hatters through.

Hendon said: "Obviously you're always disappointed when you lose a game but I was very encouraged. We had five debutants there tonight on the pitch at the end and I thought the boys performed well. We're disappointed with the result but we've had to use our squad to the maximum tonight."

He added: "Listen we go into a competition and we want to do well but I think if you look at the Luton side tonight, how many games and appearances they have made, I think Steve McNulty himself has probably made more than our whole team.

"We played against an experienced side and look at the back of the programme and the size of their squad. Let's be honest, they're probably more fixed and set to go well in this competition because of the size of their squad. 

"Is it a major concern? No. The importance is on Saturday [at Exeter] but we wanted to come and do well and progress."