Leyton Orient survived a second-half fightback from Cambridge United to win 3-2 at the Abbey Stadium.

Jamie Turley's volley, Josh Wright's rebound from a saved penalty and Jordan Maguire-Drew's stunning free-kick had the O's in a commanding position at the break.

Jack Roles and a Sam Smith penalty reduced the arrears for the U's, but Orient managed to hold on.

Ross Embleton initially named an unchanged side to the one that produced a goalless draw against Bradford City last week, but a late change saw Conor Wilkinson drop out for James Brophy.

Additionally, an injury to Dean Brill meant there was no goalkeeper on the bench as paperwork for the ending of Arthur Janata’s loan at Potter’s Bar was not processed in time by the FA.

Orient made the better start to the game and put U’s goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov under pressure early on. He dropped a corner before the ball was cleared on the other side and, from the resulting Josh Wright delivery, Jamie Turley powered an effort wide.

The feisty nature of the game came through after around 15 minutes as Craig Clay was warned after going through the back of Samir Carruthers, and George Marsh went into the book for a late challenge in the corner.

Cambridge were doing little to threaten, but Orient too struggled to really create anything going forward as the game descended into more of a midfield battle.

That was, though, until the opening goal arrived. Orient won a free-kick in a good crossing position and Maguire-Drew’s delivery was headed back across the box where Turley was waiting to volley into the top corner.

That sprung the game into life and, less than 10 minutes later, Orient doubled their lead. Angol displayed some of his usual hold-up play before being tripped in the penalty area by Elliott Ward, and although Wright’s initial penalty was saved by Mitov, he got to the loose ball first to tap home.

Maguire-Drew had started to have some joy down the right-hand side. Shortly after curling an effort just wide of the post, he produced arguably Orient’s goal of the season so far.

He stood over a free-kick from around 30-yards and bent a terrific effort into the bottom corner to give the visitors a healthy half-time lead.

Cambridge made an improved start to the second period and fashioned some good early chances, but Sargeant did well on two occasions, firstly to tip a header wide and then to hold onto a low effort.

Angol was then presented with a huge chance to make it four for the O’s when Greg Taylor’s slip left him one-on-one with Mitov, but the goalkeeper did well to smother the effort as Angol tried to go around him.

At the other end, the hosts then thought they had pulled a goal back when Sam Smith headed in a free-kick from close range, but he was penalised for offside.

Minutes later, though, the U’s did have the goal they desired. Good build-up on the right saw the ball played across to Roles, and he curled a stunning effort into the bottom corner.

Cambridge then pulled a second goal back when Smith was felled by Turley, and he stepped up to send Sargeant the wrong way and reduce the deficit to one.

The game remained as fierce as it had in the first half though, and two red cards in the space of as many minutes left both sides with depleted numbers.

Firstly, Reggie Lambe was shown a second yellow for a late tackle on Angol, and Judd was then given his marching order, again for a second yellow.

Despite some late pressure going into stoppage time, Orient managed to stand firm and record their first League Two win since October.

Next up for the O's is the Boxing Day clash at home to Colchester United, which kicks off at 1.00pm.

Orient team: Sargeant, Ekpiteta, Clay, Brophy, Maguire-Drew, Judd, Happe, Angol, Marsh, Turley, Wright

Subs: Gorman, Coulson, Dayton, Brophy, Harrold, Sotiriou, Kyprianou