Leyton Orient 2 Swindon Town 1 

Coca-Cola League One

 

RESULT: Leyton Orient 2 Swindon Town 1

 

Orient scorer: A Boyd 50, 53

Swindon scorer: A Thelwell (og) 20

 

It's looking a tough task for Town to reach the play-offs after this defeat.

 

The result once again of a disastrous second-half performance far too similiar to the Robins' performance at Oldham according to manager Maurice Malpas.

 

"I told the players to keep it tight straight after the break, but we failed to do that," the disappointed Town boss described.

 

"It's three points dropped as far as I'm concerned and you've only got to look at the table to see how costly that is."

 

Early promise

Peter Brezovan was recalled to the starting line-up which also included Blair Sturrock and Jon-Paul McGovern who came in for the suspended Billy Paynter and Lee Peacock.

Town started the game in confident fashion and could have taken the lead as early as the first minute, but JP McGovern's volley could only find the hands of Orient Keeper Glenn Morris.

Swindon's deserved opener came courtesy of an own goal from Alton Thelwell, the defender diverting Anthony McNamee's right wing cross into his own net.

The goal was no more than Maurice Malpas' men deserved as they looked to haul themselves back into play-off contention with back-to-back victories for the first time since late December.

 

Injury

Unfortunately Town were dealt an injury blow as the influential Chris Allen limped off midway through the first-half to be replaced by Sofi Zaaboub.

 

A setback that proved costly in the crucial midfield battle - and ultimately the undoing for Town.

In a repeat of the same defensive frailties that hit the team against Oldham, two goals in four minutes at the start of the second-half turned the game on its head.

Firstly Adam Boyd was gifted the opportunity of an equaliser from the penalty spot as Miguel Comminges brought down the striker inside the box.

 

Then, only minutes later, the diminutive frontman scored again - this time heading home unmarked to give Orient a most unlikely lead.

But unlike the Oldham game, Town were unable to find the goal that would have got them back into the game.

Simon Cox squandering the best opportunity by somehow lifting the ball over the bar from just yards out when it seemed easier to score.

The former Reading hit-man now will be left wondering where his next goal is coming from as he looks to find the form that made him a fans' favourite earlier in the season.

The loss leave Swindon's play-off dreams in serious doubt and with a tough game against Carlisle on Saturday, Maurice Malpas must be thinking it is a must win game if his side have any hopes of reaching the top six.

 

Town drop to 14th.

 

The League One Table

 

1 Swansea 35 35 74
2 Doncaster 36 23 68
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3 Carlisle 35 19 67
4 Nottm Forest 35 23 58
5 Walsall 36 12 55
6 Southend 36 8 55
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7 Leeds 36 25 53
8 Oldham 37 11 53
9 Tranmere 37 5 53
10 Leyton Orient 37 -5 53
11 Brighton 35 7 52
12 Northampton 36 2 50
13 Hartlepool 37 4 49
14 Swindon 36 1 47
15 Huddersfield 36 -15 46
16 Yeovil 37 -13 45
17 Bristol Rovers 32 1 44
18 Millwall 37 -13 43
19 Cheltenham 37 -19 40
20 Crewe 37 -21 37
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21 Gillingham 36 -25 36
22 Bournemouth 37 -19 26
23 Luton 36 -17 25
24 Port Vale 37 -29 25

NEXT GAME

 

Carlisle (h)

Saturday 15 March 2008, 3.00pm

Coca-Cola League One