The O’s failed to test Sutton goalkeeper Jamie Butler throughout despite dominating the last 20 minutes of the game

Justin Edinburgh conceded Leyton Orient didn’t create enough chances to beat Sutton United this afternoon and revealed his disappointment at seeing the team’s unbeaten start to the National League campaign come to an end.

The O’s were looking to make it 14 games without a defeat this season, but the U’s produced a textbook away performance to clinch a 1-0 win in E10.

Jonah Ayunga scored the only goal of the game in the 48th minute and although Joe Widdowson had a header cleared off the line and Dale Gorman hit the crossbar on the stroke of full time, Orient struggled to break down Paul Doswell’s Sutton.

Edinburgh said: “We are frustrated because we’ve been beaten and not got something from the game.

“Not that it was an open game or one with lots of chances, but it was a game where we have to come off the pitch having not lost.

“There were very few chances and Sutton come here to do a job and did it well, but the key for us is how we react to this moving forward.”

Orient will return to action next Saturday when they visit Maidenhead United and a response will be expected by Edinburgh.

He was pleased with the impact substitutes Gorman, James Brophy and James Alabi had, but praised Sutton for halting the momentum of the game.

After Ayunga’s opener, Brophy dragged an effort wide, Gorman hit the crossbar with a superb strike and Alabi drilled off target after turning well in the area.

But come full time, Sutton’s determination in defence and work rate across the pitch did probably mean they warranted all three points.

“In terms of looking for a reaction, we got it when we made the substitutions and we threw caution to the wind and added an extra attacker,” Edinburgh said.

“Yet it still didn’t quite go for us and we just didn’t create enough, but I can’t criticise. If we had not lost, I probably would have reflected on it and said there was not much in the game because it was a very tight game.

“It was slowed down and it was difficult to find momentum, but credit to Sutton they have managed it well and I said before they had the knowhow to do things like that.”

The only goal of the game was an avoidable one for Orient to concede with Craig Clay giving the ball away in midfield and then Myles Judd being caught slightly out of position.

It allowed Ayunga to come inside too easily and he beat Dean Brill at his near post from outside the area.

Edinburgh added: “We were in possession and probably today as the game went on, we just become a little bit forceful in our play and that is where the goal come from.

“Any other week we would have played it down the other side, but we tried to force it and we got caught out of position and we would always be disappointed with any goal we concede.”

It meant Orient’s fantastic unbeaten start came to an end and they drop to second, but there is still plenty to be positive about.

After 14 games, the O’s are a point off top and five above Hartlepool United, who are eighth, in what will no doubt be a rollercoaster ride of a season.