Leyton Orient defender Gary Sawyer cannot put his finger on why the O's are struggling to defend set pieces after Gillingham knocked Orient out of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy semi-finals.

With the tie heading towards penalties, John Egan headed in the decisive goal to secure a 1-0 win for Peter Taylor's side and dump Mauro Milanese's men out of the competition.

It has been a recurring theme for Orient this season, with the Gills scoring three goals from set pieces against the O’s in a dramatic 3-2 win at Priestfield in November.

Both sides had struggled to carve out opportunities, though Orient enjoyed the more clear-cut chances, with Bradley Pritchard twice failing to convert from close-range at the back post.

And the O’s were made to pay when with 11 minutes remaining, Egan climbed highest to power a header beyond Adam Legzdins to settle the contest.

Reflecting on the goal, Sawyer said: “Everyone knows this cup is a great opportunity to go to Wembley and with the league not being so great for us at the minute, this was a great side bit for us. We are gutted with the result, especially with the manner [of the goal], being another set piece.

“We are working really hard on the training ground to do it (defend set pieces better), but I could not tell you why [we are conceding so many]. It is the most frustrating thing. If a team opens you, carves you open and scores a worldie goal, then fair enough, but it is a bit of a bitter pill to swallow.”

The left-back added: “We had a lot of chances. If you ask Legz (Adam Legzdins), I don’t think he had a lot to do really, but it was a good header from a set piece from them. We had chances, but it just did not seem to go over the line.”

The tie marked Sawyer’s sixth outing of a stop-start season – with only one appearance coming League One – and just his first start since the 2-0 win over Northampton Town in the previous round.

“It has been frustrating [not to play], so it was nice to start another game and try and keep myself going so I am fit enough when I get the shout,” admitted the 29-year-old. “It has been a tough start for me with the personnel coming in, but I just have to keep myself fit so I have to perform.

He continued: “It can be [hard to keep yourself fit when you’re not playing]. You can go one of two ways with it; I have never gone that way (not working hard) – fortunately for me. We have got good people here, like Lee (Southernwood) the fitness geezer, he takes you for the extra work you need. As long as you do the work they set and you put it in, they keep you fit enough.”