Leyton Orient’s worrying form in League Two continued after losing 3-1 at struggling Hartlepool United this afternoon.

The O’s made an excellent start to the match and were rewarded with an early goal through Bradley Pritchard. But Alan Dunne needlessly conceded a penalty for punching the ball and Kudus Oyenuga equalised.

Orient failed to take their opportunities and were punished when Jake Gray’s strike deflected off Dunne in the 70th minute.

The hosts sealed the points with Gray’s second to leave Ian Hendon under pressure following a run of two wins from 12 league games.

The O's made three changes to the side which thrashed Staines last weekend. Pritchard returned from suspension with Dean Cox ruled out for six months with a serious knee injury.

John Marquis was also brought in with Sammy Moore missing the game after the birth of his daughter. Young goalkeeper Charlie Grainger was handed just his second league start with Alex Cisak away on international duty.

The visitors made a bright start and Sean Clohessy fired in the first effort but the defender’s strike flew over the bar.

Captain Mathieu Baudry went even closer but his shot was blocked at the near post by home goalkeeper Trevor Carson.

Orient deservedly opened the scoring after 13 minutes when the hosts failed to clear the ball and Pritchard fired a low effort into the net.

But Dunne’s idiotic decision to punch the ball in the area enabled Oyenuga to send Grainger the wrong way from the penalty spot after 20 minutes.

The goalscorer fired in an extremely ambitious effort from distance which flew harmlessly over the bar.

Marquis came close to scoring his first league goal for the club but his fierce strike from the edge of the area was pushed away by Carson.

Jack Payne also fired in a shot from distance but the effort was deflected into the arms of the home keeper.

The O’s kept the pressure on at the start of the second half but Ollie Palmer’s header and follow up shot were both blocked by defenders.

United had a rare opportunity from a corner but Scott Fenwick sent his header wide of the target.

The O’s should have regained the lead after the hour mark when Baudry’s header was parried by Carson.

But Hartlepool grabbed the lead against the run of play when Gray’s strike was deflected off Dunne for their second goal.

Hendon acted quickly by throwing on Scott Kashket in place of Pritchard as the O’s searched for an equaliser.

Simpson flicked a header towards the goal but it was comfortably caught by Carson as Orient started to run out of time.

Palmer fired in a low strike from the edge of the penalty area but his effort lacked accuracy and floated well wide.

But United clinched the victory when Kal Naismith released Gray and he drilled a shot past Grainger.

Hendon brought on Blair Turgott for Dunne late on in a desperate bid to pull one goal back. 

There were five minutes of stoppage time but Orient could not find a way back as another league defeat again cast doubts on their promotion credentials. 

Hartlepool United: Carson; Duckworth (Harrison, 77), Bates, Jackson, Carroll; Naismith, Magnay, Gray, Oyenuga (Oates, 68); Fenwick (Featherstone, 82), Mandron

Subs not used: Bingham, Bartlett, Woods, Jones

Leyton Orient: Grainger; Shaw, Baudry, Dunne (Turgott, 86), Clohessy; Pritchard (Kashket, 75), Payne, James; Marquis, Palmer, Simpson

Subs not used: Semedo, Moncur, Sargeant

Referee: Paul Tierney

Attendance: 3,785 (237 Orient fans)