Sky Bet League Two: Leyton Orient 1 Mansfield Town 2

Leyton Orient suffered their third defeat of the season at Brisbane Road as Mansfield Town’s Matt Green hit a 89th minute winner.

Andy Hessenthaler’s team had seen the Stags forward miss a penalty kick in the first half as it was goalless at the break.

But after both teams traded goals in a five minute second half spell, it was the visitors who earned the victory in League Two with late drama in east London.

Hessenthaler made one change from the team that defeated Grimsby Town 2-1 last weekend.

Ollie Palmer, fresh from scoring at Blundell Park on Saturday, returned to the starting XI in place of Jordan Bowery.

Paul McCallum was back on the bench after missing out completely at the Mariners, but there was no Jay Simpson again or Sean Clohessy.

Mansfield handed a full debut to Darius Henderson, formerly of the O’s, up front and he partnered Green.

Green is rumoured to be a target of the east Londoners, but despite speculation he was included from the off by Stags boss Adam Murray.

Sandro Semedo had the first shot of the match when Dean Cox picked him out from a corner, but his own team-mate Tom Parkes blocked his effort.

Orient didn’t make the best of starts, however, by giving away free kicks in dangerous positions in the opening 10 minutes.

Fortunately neither come to much and soon after Palmer headed over against his old club following Harry Cornick’s cross.

The ex-Mansfield man was involved again five minutes later and should have at least tested former Burnley goalkeeper Brian Jensen.

Semedo crossed into the box and the ball dropped perfectly for Palmer, but he lashed over from eight-yards.

It was a bright moment for Hessenthaler’s team, although they had looked shaky at the back against the Stags.

That was evident in the 21st minute when they failed to defend a corner and gave away a spot-kick.

Krystian Pearce did well to control on the edge of the box and wriggled away from Erichot before the French defender bundled his opponent to the ground.

Referee Kevin Johnson was left with no choice but to award a penalty to the visitors in the 21st minute.

Green stepped up to take it and after waiting a while, fired over the crossbar much to the delight of the home fans.

It was a poor miss and occurred after the forward had taken a stuttering run-out, which clearly didn’t help.

Mansfield continued to take control of the match and Kevan Hurst tested Cisak less than 60 seconds after and the Australian tipped over for a corner.

Orient wanted a penalty of their own with half an hour gone after Palmer tangled with Pearce.

Nothing was given by referee Johnson and after Palmer remonstrated with the linesman, he was shown a yellow card.

Orient’s forward was growing more and more frustrated after another appeal was turned down and he was given a warning.

With the half drawing to a close, Hessenthaler’s men began to focus more and create opportunities.

Semedo cut inside and tried his luck in the 37th minute, but his right-footer failed to test Jensen.

Cornick then produced wonderful footwork on the right and got to the byline, however he could only fizz straight at Cox and his header went over.

Stags ended the first period strongly, however, and nearly opened the scoring in the only minute of additional time.

Hurst’s corner was met by Pearce and Kyle Howkins volleyed towards goal, but it flew over the crossbar to ensure it was level at the break.

Some O’s supporters were happy five minutes into the second half as Henderson was replaced by Chris Hamilton.

The hosts created a decent chance moments later as Cox’s corner was met by Parkes, but he headed wide.

Mansfield made the next opportunity just before the hour mark and Cisak was called into action.

Hurst swung his corner to the back post and Pearce headed goalwards where Orient’s custodian parried and it remained goalless.

O’s manager had seen enough and introduced McCallum and Bowery in the 62nd minute with Palmer and Cornick making way.

It was now a flat 4-4-2 with Cox on the left, Massey on his usual right and the two substitutes up front.

Straight away Orient looked brighter and sharper, but against the run of play Mansfield took the lead in the 68th minute.

Hurst’s long ball to the back post missed Green, but Semedo allowed it to run for Mitchell Rose and he fired into the corner.

But it only took the hosts five minutes to respond and it was a wonderful move involving one of the substitutes.

Massey, Nicky Huny and Atagana combined before finding Bowery and he passed into Kelly, who drilled into the corner.

It was end-to-end now as both teams searched for a winner, but unfortunately it was the visitors who took the points.

Again it was more poor defending as the ball dropped perfectly for Green inside the box and he drilled through Cisak’s legs with less than a minute of normal time remaining.

Four minutes of additional time was added on and although McCallum nearly converted Bowery’s cross, it was the Stags who took the points.

Orient’s home woes continue as they’ve lost three of their four games at Brisbane Road this season.

Leyton Orient: Cisak; Hunt, Erichot, Parkes, Semedo; Kelly, Atangana; Cornick (Bowery 62), Cox, Massey; Palmer (McCallum 62).

Unused substitutes: Sargeant, Kennedy, Weir, Pollock, Koroma.

Mansfield Town: Jenson; Bennett, Howkins, Pearce, Benning; Collins; Rose, Chapman (Maguire 80), Hurst (Baxendale 80); Henderson (Hamilton 50), Green.

Unused substitutes: Shearer, Taft, Hoban, Hemmings.

Attendance: 3,996 (217 Mansfield Town supporters).