Head coach Justin Edinburgh bemoaned his team’s lack of concentration after Leyton Orient slipped to a 1-0 defeat away to Dover Athletic on Saturday.

Mitch Pinnock’s goal eight minutes from time proved to the be the difference in what was a close fought game at the Crabble Athletic Ground, which saw both teams hit the post early in the second half.

The O’s created plenty of opportunities but couldn’t make the all-important breakthrough and Edinburgh felt his team should have come away with at least a point.

Speaking to Leyton Orient’s website after the game, he said: “It was a disappointing end to the game. We were fast out of the blocks. I thought we looked efficient and again, we looked very good away from home. We certainly should have been coming away today with at least a point. But we’ve been the instigators with an individual error and it’s cost us the game.”

It was the O’s who started the game brighter on Saturday, with Josh Koroma’s curling free kick forcing Dover’s Mitch Walker in to a superb save, before Craig Clay saw a goal bound header deflected over the bar by Nortei Nortey. Macauley Bonne then fired well over the bar when played through on goal by Clay ten minutes before half-time.

Dover improved after the break, with Dean Brill making a good save from Giancarlo Gallifuoco and on the hour mark, the home side went even closer, with Nortey’s low effort hitting the base of the post.

But it was Orient’s turn to hit the woodwork next, with Lamar Reynolds striking the post and the O’s were to rue their missed chances as Dover scored the winner with eight minutes to play, with Pinnock’s dipping volley nestling into the top corner.

The Orient head coach handed Sam Ling his first start, fresh from being called up to the England C squad to face Wales on the 20th March, while also giving a debut to January signing Marvin Ekpiteta late on and Edinburgh was pleased with the duo’s performances.

He said: “I thought Sam looked accomplished and assured. There was a real calmness about his play, certainly playing on the opposite site to his preferred position. But I thought he played very well.

“I thought Marvin, during the time he was on the pitch, looked assured and I’m pleased that he has got his debut under his belt. Ebou Adams and Cray Clay were immense today and those sort of performances don’t deserve to be on a losing side. That’s what we have got to be looking to do in terms of looking to replicate those level of performances and we weren’t far away from that. But unfortunately, lack of concentration cost us the game.”