Leyton Orient’s lead at the top of the National League was cut down to just goal difference after they suffered a 2-0 loss away at Ebbsfleet United.

A goal in each half from Jack King and Chris Bush lifted Ebbsfleet to within a point of the play-offs, while the O’s remain at the top by virtue of their superior goal difference over Solihull Moors.

Jordan Maguire-Drew came in for his first league start while fellow new signing Jamie Turley was named among the substitutes.

A quiet opening 10 minutes eventually swung the way of Ebbsfleet when Michael Cheek collected Ebou Adams’ excellent through ball, but he lost his footing in his attempt to round Dean Brill and poked wide of the target.

The hosts had a moment of madness soon after when goalkeeper Nathan Ashmore picked up Sam Magri’s back pass. The referee awarded the O’s an indirect free-kick in the box, which Maguire-Drew touched for Macauley Bonne, but his effort was charged down.

They recovered well from that potentially embarrassing moment though, and took the lead after 20 minutes when Orient failed to clear a corner and King volleyed home from the edge of the box.

Justin Edinburgh’s side nearly got back in it straight away when Charlie Lee played in Maguire-Drew but, after setting himself well, the winger fired inches wide of the far post.

Orient were pushing hard for an equaliser and came close again when James Brophy attacked down the left wing, reaching the by-line and cutting back for Bonne, but his first-time effort was excellently kept out by the fingertips of Ashmore.

Despite their pressure at the end of the first half, it was the hosts who had the first real chance after the break when they countered from an Orient corner, but Bagasan Graham was denied by some excellent defending from Alex Lawless.

Ashmore then denied the O’s once more by keeping out Josh Koroma’s effort, and he then produced another stunning save when he smothered Dan Happe’s header after being set up by Joe Widdowson.

Orient’s relentless pressure came to nothing on 63 minutes when Ebbsfleet doubled their lead through Chris Bush, who smashed in a free-kick from long range.

Edinburgh tried to reverse his side’s fortunes with a triple substitution, bringing on Turley for his debut as well as Matt Harrold and Craig Clay in place of George Elokobi, Lee and Maguire-Drew, but it did little to change the game.

There were late efforts from Turley, who hit the post with a header, and Koroma, who saw his chip cleared off the line, but the hosts held on for the win.

Orient’s next game sees them host Maidstone United at the Breyer Group Stadium on Saturday, and they are then in FA Trophy action, welcoming Blyth Spartans on Saturday, February 2.