Sorry Orient's dreadful run continues against ten-man MK Dons (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Sorry Orient's dreadful run continues against ten-man MK Dons

9:45pm Tuesday 28th October 2008 in

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Leyton Orient 1
MK Dons 2
(League One)

ORIENT saw their winless run stretched to ten games as ten-man MK Dons left Brisbane Road with the points.

Former Manchester United man Luke Chadwick's first half brace did the damage. And despite having defender Shaun Cummings sent off for a foul on sub Sean Thornton in the area, but on what proved another disappointing night for the Londoners Adam Boyd missed the resulting penalty.

In the end not even a Tamika Mkandawire goal deep into stoppage time could bring any warmth to a freezing home crowd on a bitter winters evening in London.

The Dons made a flying start and the hosts suffered a real let off in the sixth minute. Dean Lewington flashed a ball across the box from the left and Jude Stirling at the far post crashed his shot against the outside of the right-hand upright.

It continued to be one way traffic and the O's found themselves behind on 19 minutes. Chadwick played a neat one-two with Peter Leven on the edge of the Orient area and then got his left foot in front of Morris to flick home the return pass.

The visitors doubled their lead just four minutes later following another swift break. In the end Mark Wright found plenty of space on the right-hand edge of the area, where he drove the ball hard across the area to an unmarked Chadwick, who turned the ball in for his second of the night from close range.

The lively looking Wright broke again down the right side on 32 minutes, and his cross picked out Jason Puncheon on the far side, but his shot was high and wide.

MK Dons continued to dominate the half, but only managed to carve out a couple more half chances, while at the other end the sorry looking O's failed to offer any kind of goal threat in the opening 45.

In an attempt to turn things around Orient manager Martin Ling made a double substitution at the break bringing on Sean Thornton and JJ Melligan, for Paul Terry and Dean Morgan respectively.

And the hosts started the second period brightly with Adam Chambers making a good break into the area, but his shot was tame and keeper Lewis Price was able to make an easy save.

The Londoners then had a glorious chance to cut the lead on 48 minutes. Boyd threaded a neat ball through to sub Thornton, who burst into the box where he was hauled down by Cummings. The Dons defender was handed a straight red by ref Clive Penton, who had no problems pointing straight to the spot. Boyd stepped up to take the resulting penalty, but disappointingly fired his shot wide of the left-hand upright.

Orient continued to press and Demetriou picked out Melligan, who's low shot was well saved with his feet by Price.

The O's persisted to attack and the lively Thornton then found skipper Stephen Purches 20 yards out and his powerful low effort was well saved by Price.

Thornton then tried his luck with a dipping shot that ended up just wide on 69 minutes.

Things could have got worse for the home side in the 76th minute, as Leven's 25-yard free kick only just flashed out wide.

Demetriou then fired well over, before Thornton then unleashed another powerful low shot from the edge of the area, but Price once again saved easily.

Orient continued to press in stoppage time as Melligan found sub Jarvis who just fired over on the turn before the striker then headed narrowly wide.

The home crowd were given something to cheer just before the final whistle after Mkadawire scrambled the ball home, after the visitors failed to deal with Thornton's free kick.

Orient: Morris, Purches, Thelwell, Mkandawire, Granville; Morgan (Melligan 46), Chambers, Terry (Thornton 46), Demetriou; Boyd (Jarvis 72), Parkin. Subs: Jones (GK), Saah.