Leyton Orient suffered their first away defeat under Kevin Nolan after losing 1-0 at League Two promotion rivals Accrington Stanley.

Accrington took the lead early on in the second half when Scott Brown drilled a low shot past goalkeeper Alex Cisak.

Stanley had further chances to extend their lead and Orient could have no complaints about the result after failing to test home keeper Ross Etheridge.

The O’s made one change from the side which won against Morecambe last week. Sammy Moore returned to the midfield with Jobi McAnuff away on international duty.

Orient made a bright start to the match and Moore fired a shot over the bar in the opening minutes.

The visitors threatened again through Armand Gnanduillet but his shot flew past Etheridge’s post.

Accrington had a decent opportunity through Piero Mingoia but his volley was deflected over for a corner by defender Jerome Binnom-Williams.

The first half came to a scrappy end with both sides struggling to create decent openings.

But the hosts took the lead after 51 minutes when the ball was knocked on for Brown and he arrowed a low half-volley into the net.

Accrington should have made it 2-0 almost immediately afterwards when Sean McConville raced clear on goal but Cisak superbly blocked the effort.

Orient had a chance to draw level through Jay Simpson but the top scorer fired wide of the target.

The visitors made a double change on the hour mark with Ollie Palmer replacing Gnanduillet and Blair Turgott coming on for Moore.

Orient had a let off when a terrible back header from Shaun Brisley set up McConville but he was denied by Cisak as the visitors escaped conceding a second goal.

The O's made their final change when they introduced Frazer Shaw in place of Sean Clohessy.

Orient's lack of creativity and efforts on goal was a big disappointment as they failed to trouble the hosts. 

Mingoia fired in a effort in the 90th minute but the shot lacked power and was comfortably held by Cisak.

There were four minutes of injury time but Nolan's side failed to test Accrington as they were deservedly beaten in a disappointing start to the Easter weekend. 

Accrington Stanley: Etheridge; Halliday, Davies, Hughes, Pearson; Mingoia, Conneely, Brown, McCartan, McConville; Kee

Subs not used: Mooney, Windass, Boco, Procter, Gornell, Buxton, Fosu

Leyton Orient: Cisak; Hunt, Ramage, Brisley, Binnom-Williams; Clohessy (Shaw, 84), Moore (Turgott, 61) Atangana, Nolan; Gnanduillet (Palmer, 61), Simpson

Subs not used: Shaw, James, Payne, Pollock, Gregory

Referee: Ross Joyce

Attendance: 2,783