Table-topping Orient scored two goals in the last four minutes at the Racecourse Ground to beat Wrexham in their top-of-the-table clash on Saturday.
Macauley Bonne broke the deadlock, before substitute James Brophy added a stunning second as Justin Edinburgh’s men ensured they remain unbeaten on their travels this season, while inflicting a first home loss on the hosts.
Marvin Ekpiteta headed wide from Jobi McAnuff’s free-kick on seven minutes, but Dean Brill did well to hold on to a deflected shot from Kevin Roberts at the other end moments later.
Bonne saw a header comfortably saved by Rob Lainton after Myles Judd and Josh Koroma had sent crosses into the box, before McAnuff sent a free-kick just past the post on 19 minutes.
But Brill had to be alert to deny Rekeil Pyke from a quick free-kick midway through the first half and Joe Widdowson rose highest to head Luke Summerfield’s free-kick away from danger before the half-hour mark.
Ekpiteta hooked away another dangerous Summerfield free-kick soon after, while Josh Coulson blocked Stewart Beavon’s shot on the turn five minutes before the break.
Wrexham forced some early corners after the restart, but Ekpiteta and Brill cleared for the visitors, before Brad Walker’s header from a Paul Rutherford cross dropped past the post.
And Brill produced a stunning low save to keep Shaun Pearson’s header out on 64 minutes, before Walker sliced another shot wide.
Edinburgh sent James Brophy on for James Dayton midway through the second half in his first change of the day, with Lainton denying Koroma from Judd’s cross moments later.
Brophy did well to beat his man and deliver a cross into the box, but O’s could not capitalise, before Craig Clay sent a first-time effort from distance just wide.
Brill held on to a header from James Jennings with nine minutes remaining, before Dale Gorman was booked for a late challenge and was then replaced by James Alabi for the final five minutes.
And O’s broke the deadlock three minutes from time when McAnuff’s corner dropped to Bonne, who smashed it into the roof of the net from close range.
It was very nearly 2-0 moments later as Koroma escaped tackles and fired against a post, but then Brophy popped up in the last minute of normal time to claim Orient’s second, lobbing home from 30 yards after Lainton came off his line to head Bonne’s pass clear.
That ensured a very happy return journey to east London for the 603 Orient supporters who made the trip to north Wales and they will hope to maintain their form as they return to the Breyer Group Stadium to host Aldershot on Tuesday.
Orient: Brill, Judd, Coulson, Ekpiteta, Widdowson, McAnuff, Gorman (Alabi 85), Clay, Dayton (Brophy 68), Koroma, Bonne. Unused subs: Janata, Happe, Harrold.
Attendance: 6,428 (including 603 Orient supporters).
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