Sky Bet League Two: Leyton Orient 1 Luton Town 2

Ollie Palmer ended Leyton Orient’s barren run in front of goal, but sloppy errors allowed Luton Town to take all three points at Brisbane Road.

Two mistakes in each half resulted in the Hatters going two goals to the good in the League Two contest in east London.

Palmer pulled one back, O’s first goal since September 24, but it wasn’t enough to give Alberto Cavasin a first point in charge.

The Italian made three changes to the team which started the 1-0 defeat to Portsmouth last weekend.

Liam Kelly missed out and it was revealed by the club that the central midfielder had suffered a torn hamstring and could now miss the rest of 2016.

Nigel Atangana replaced the vice-captain while Sandro Semedo took the position of Ulrich Nnomo on the left.

Palmer replaced Paul McCallum up front with the former West Ham United striker dropping to the bench.

Luton included ex-O’s defender Scott Cuthbert in their starting XI and Jack Marriott who was previously sent off for an obscene gesture towards the Orient fans during a Johnstone’s Paint Trophy match in September 2015.

The hosts made an encouraging start with Jay Simpson involved early on and Gavin Massey looking lively in his usual right wing position.

Although the Hatters showed their capability in the ninth minute when Danny Hylton tried to play in partner Marriott, but O’s captain for the day Nicky Hunt made an impressive covering tackle.

Two minutes later and Semedo burst through the middle of the park and linked up nicely with Massey.

Cuthbert was able to block the ex-Colchester United winger’s effort and it remained goalless at Brisbane Road.

Orient’s supporters should have been on their feet celebrating in the 13th minute after some wonderful play.

Atangana spread the ball out wide to Hunt and he delivered a teasing cross into the Hatters box.

Palmer met the centre, unmarked, but headed wide of Christian Walton’s goal and a big chance was wasted.

Both teams got forward well afterwards, although neither showed the required quality to produce the opener.

Luton nearly did in the 23rd minute when Jordan Cook picked out Cameron McGeehan in the O’s box from a free kick, but the curling strike was tipped wide by Alex Cisak.

The Hatters enjoyed a minute of sustained period, but Cavasin’s team stood strong and saw off the pressure.

Orient did concede with half an hour played, however, with Simpson largely at fault for the goal.

Alex Gilliead disposed the O’s striker deep inside his own half and brought the ball forward before finding Marriott.

Luton’s forward turned impressively before Cisak denied him, but McGeehan was on hand to poke home from close range.

It was slightly harsh on Cavasin and his players after an even first 30 minutes, but now that needed to respond.

Orient did try to level it up just three minutes later when Palmer did well before Hunt found Simpson in the box.

Last season’s top goalscorer for the east Londoners had two efforts blocked before Massey picked him out and another strike was thwarted and Hatters eventually survived the barrage of pressure.

The O’s had responded well to going behind, but defended poorly six minutes before half time when Marriott was picked out and ran across several players before Tom Parkes deflected his shot behind for a corner.

It was eventually cleared and the hosts could push for an equaliser again, which they did through Massey.

He used his quick feet to glide past two opponents before setting up Semedo, but his low effort was easily saved by Walton in the 41st minute.

Palmer won Orient a free kick just before half time and had two efforts – the second deflected behind for a corner.

After initially keeping the ball inside the Luton box following the set piece, the visitors cleared and despite a minute of stoppage time, it was 1-0 to the Hatters at the break.

O’s started the second half brightly and Atangana volleyed over widely before Simpson smashed off target.

Atangana was involved again in the 49th minute and played in Semedo down the left before crossing into the box.

Simpson couldn’t reach his wonderful centre, but Massey did and earned Orient a corner, which unfortunately was caught comfortably by Walton.

Even though Cavasin’s team carried on pressing for the equaliser, Luton defended well and blocked any efforts from the hosts.

The Hatters again demonstrated their attacking threat in the 58th minute when Hunt failed to intercept a crossfield pass.

Marriott picked up the loose ball and dribbled into the box before forcing Cisak to parry onto the post.

Cook looked set to tap in the rebound, in an carbon copy of McGeehan’s goal, but O’s goalkeeper managed to swipe the ball away and it stayed 0-1.

It was excellent reactions from the Australian and ensured Orient still had a chance of getting back into the contest.

The east Londoners looked to make the most of that chance in the 63rd minute and produced some impressive play.

Jens Janse combined with Semedo before running into the opposition penalty area and getting fairly tackled.

Kennedy picked up the loose ball and dribbled across pitch before setting up Massey out on the right.

Hunt was neatly played in after making an adventurous run from right-back and had a shot deflected just past the post.

And then Cavasin made his first change of the match, and an unusual one, when he replaced Simpson with McCallum.

Simpson hadn’t been at his best, though always looked the most likely to find the net for Orient.

With 17 minutes remaining Hatters goalkeeper Walton rushed out of his goal and his clearance was poor.

McCallum managed to win the ball back, Atangana passed into Palmer and he tested the Luton custodian from 25-yards.

But just two minutes later and a bad lapse in concentration resulted in O’s finding themselves two down.

Hylton played the ball forward and Erichot didn’t realise Marriott was behind him and allowed the Luton forward to get in on goal.

Although the French defender got back to tackle Marriott, the Hatters hitman passed into Hylton’s path and he rifled home.

Cavasin’s reaction was to bring on Alan Dunne in place of Atangana, but it wasn’t an inspired one.

The ex-Millwall captain let the ball roll past him minutes later and Hylton played in Gilliead, though fortunately he blazed wide.

And then O’s finally ended their horror run of form in front of goal with 10 minutes remaining at Brisbane Road.

McCallum got to the byline and cut back for Palmer, who managed to find the corner via the post and get Orient back into the game.

Brisbane Road was rocking now and the east Londoners fans were urging the team on to get an equaliser.

Hylton nearly silenced them in the 86th minute when he dribbled into the box, but Cisak managed to parry his effort.

Four minutes of additional time were added on, but Cavasin’s team couldn’t manage to produce a leveller.

The defeat drops them to 22nd in the table and only outside the bottom two on goal difference.

It is Orient’s seventh defeat at Brisbane Road in all competitions this season and the players looked dejected at full time.

Leyton Orient: Cisak; Hunt, Erichot, Parkes, Kennedy; Massey, Atangana (Dunne 75), Janse, Semedo; Simpson (McCallum 68), Palmer.

Unused substitutes: Sargeant, Nnomo, Bowery, Pollock, Benedicic.

Luton Town: Walton; O’Donnell, Cuthbert, Sheehan, Potts; Rea; McGeehan (Smith 83), Cook (Mullins 90), Gilliead (Gray 90); Marriott, Hylton.

Unused substitutes: King, Ruddock, Vassell.

Attendance: 5,471 (1,341 Luton Town supporters).