League Two leaders Leyton Orient maintained their 100 per cent record with a 2-0 win at home to Bristol Rovers.

Ian Hendon’s side took the lead midway through the first half from a Lloyd James penalty. The hosts made it 2-0 just before the break through a superb goal from Jay Simpson.

Rovers came into the game in fourth place and on a 21-match unbeaten run away from home but Orient came out on top to maintain their position at the top of the league.

The O’s named an unchanged team for the fifth consecutive league match. Liverpool defender Joe Maguire was named on the bench after joining on loan yesterday.

Bristol Rovers made a bright start and forced the first effort on target through Ellis Harrison’s low shot which was well saved by goalkeeper Alex Cisak.

Orient were awarded a penalty midway through the half when Paul McCallum was pushed in the area by James Clarke. James stepped up and fired home the spot-kick to open the scoring.

Dean Cox found himself in a decent position on the edge of the penalty area but his cross was cut out by Bristol Rovers keeper Aaron Chapman.

The O’s had a lucky escape before the break when Chris Lines’ free-kick was completely missed by Cisak but Baudry made a crucial block to keep out Tom Lockyer’s strike.

But the hosts extended their lead right on half time when Simpson showed great composure to cut inside and fire a low into the bottom corner of the net.

Orient were forced into a change for the second half with injured captain Mathieu Baudry replaced by Alan Dunne.

The O’s almost made it 3-0 after a fine pass from James but Simpson could only flick the ball into Chapman’s arms.

Hendon’s side kept the pressure on and Simpson was denied again when Chapman got down well to save his low shot.

Rovers went close to getting on the scoresheet but Jermaine Easter and then Harrison were denied by saves from Cisak.

The hosts were looking much more of a threat going forward and Simpson set up Cox but his effort went over the bar.

Rovers substitute Jeffrey Monakana also fired in an effort from the right edge of the area but Cisak was safely behind the shot.

The visitors again went close to pulling one back but a free-kick flew just past Cisak’s far post.

The excellent Simpson was replaced in the last 20 minutes when Hendon brought on Ollie Palmer.

Blair Turgott also came on towards the end in place of Bradley Pritchard in the final Orient substitution.

Turgott had the chance to mark his late cameo with a goal but the attacker's shot was comfortably saved by Chapman.

James Clarke should have scored a consolation effort but he blasted over late on from close range as the O's picked up their fifth consecutive win this season. 

Leyton Orient: Cisak; Shaw, Essam, Baudry (Dunne, HT), Clohessy; Cox, James, Pritchard (Turgott, 79), Moore; Simpson (Palmer, 71), McCallum

Subs not used: Grainger, Kashket, Maguire, Moncur

Bristol Rovers: Chapman; Brown, Parkes, Lockyer, J Clarke; Sinclair, O Clarke (Montano, HT), Lines, Lyttle (Monakana, HT); Easter (Taylor, 61), Harrison

Subs not used: Mildenhall, Mansell, Gosling, Bodin

Referee: Darren Drysdale

Attendance: 5,777