Leyton Orient’s long wait for a home win in 2018 continued this evening, after they were condemned to a dismal 1-0 defeat to relegation threatened Torquay United.

Elliot Romain’s header from a pinpoint cross from Brett Williams secured Torquay a valuable three points, in a result which means Orient are on the cusp of being pulled back into the relegation battle, with Solihull Moors’ draw tonight leaving the O’s just eight points from the drop zone.

Justin Edinburgh made two changes to the side which picked up a point against Ebbsfleet United at the weekend. David Mooney returned to the starting line-up and captained the O’s, while Lamar Reynolds also came back into the team. Dan Holman and Josh Koroma both dropped to the bench.

Having missed Saturday’s game due to illness, Joe Widdowson was fit enough to be named on the bench.

The O’s enjoyed a couple of half chances early on, with Reynolds firing over and George Elokobi’s header forcing a comfortable save from Torquay goalkeeper Vincent Doral.

However, Orient were given a warning sign just before the half hour mark, when Romain’s strike hit the post, but it wouldn’t have counted as the linesman flagged for offside.

But the O’s failed to heed that warning as Torquay took the lead eight minutes before half time, as Williams turned away from Jake Caprice before firing in a cross which was headed home by Romain, to secure the away side the lead at the break.

Orient slightly improved after the break, with Elokobi’s header from a Reynolds corner forcing a good save from Dorel in the Torquay goal, but Justin Edinburgh was clearly disappointed with his side’s performance, making a double substitution in the 57th minute, with Matt Harrold and Joe Widdowson coming on for Reynolds and Caprice.

It was one way traffic at this point as the O’s tried to get back on level terms, with Elokobi being denied after a goalmouth scramble and sub Widdowson then saw a shot deflected over the bar after good work from James Brophy.

Craig Clay then made way for Josh Koroma in the O’s final change in the 62nd minute and seconds later, Harrold saw a header fly over the bar from Sam Ling’s cross.

But it proved to be a frustrating evening for Orient and their night was summed up when Mooney struck the post in the dying seconds, condemning the O’s to their third defeat in four matches in all competitions.

Leyton Orient: Brill, Caprice (Widdowson 57’), Elokobi, Coulson, Ling, Reynolds (Harrold, 57), Clay (Koroma, 62), Adams, Brophy, Bonne, Mooney © Subs (Not used): Grainger, Holman.

Booked: Adams.

Torquay: Dorel, Davis, McGinty, Gowling (O’Sullivan 35’), Young, Sokolik, Barnes, Romain (Reid 75’), Balatoni, Evans, Williams (Pittman 81’).

Subs (Not used): Clarke, Dowling.

Booked: Sokolik (19’), Romain (49’), Evans (71’), Davis (73’).

Referee: Alan Dale.