Brisbane Road boss discusses formation used at Scunthorpe, mistake that led to the first goal and losing their momentum at Glanford Park

Leyton Orient head coach Ian Hendon felt his side were playing well against Scunthorpe United last night (Tuesday) before the opening goal of the game changed the FA Cup second round replay.

The O’s created numerous opportunities from set pieces in the first half and in open play as they lined up in a 4-1-2-1 formation.

Lloyd James was on the right side with Jobi McAnuff on the left, but given a license to roam and switch with Bradley Pritchard.

Jack Payne was just in front of the Orient back four and Hendon revealed why he picked the formation at Glanford Park.

It was working well until Jean-Yves M’voto deflected Neal Bishop’s shot past Alex Cisak and after Jack King bundled in the Iron’s second on the hour mark before Hakeeb Adelakun added a third deep into injury time.

Hendon said: “We looked at Scunthorpe and Peterborough came to Glanford Park a few weeks ago and played with a diamond and beat them 4-0.

“We were not trying to be them, but wanted to play with a similar shape where Jobi was on the left drifting in.

“It worked first half and up to the goal, but I keep saying it - goals change games and it did against Scunthorpe.”

As Hendon mentioned, Orient were well in control of the second round replay until a catalogue of errors in the 55th minute.

First McAnuff passed the ball across the back four, putting Sean Clohessy in an uncomfortable position close to his penalty area.

The full-back, despite that, should have done a lot better when trying to play back to captain Mathieu Baudry.

His pass was poor and Luke Williams latched onto the ball, played in Bishop and his shot deflected past Alex Cisak off M’voto.

“They shouldn’t be playing a square ball across the face of the edge of our box over about 30-yards,” added Hendon.

“We should be clearing our lines and erring on the side of caution, which is exactly what we said at half time. We said no silly mistakes and we go and make one.

“The goals were the difference between the first and second half. They came in quick succession and it killed us. Any sort of momentum we had went and it is the mistake.

“We have done well in the two games. In the first one and during first half at Scunthorpe, but it is a stupid mistake that has cost us the first goal.”