Nolan’s men win on the road again

Leyton Orient got back to winning ways and recorded a third straight success on the road under player-manager Kevin Nolan with a 1-0 victory at Notts County.

Shaun Brisley scored the only goal of the game, firing in following a corner in the 76th minute.

It was enough to give the visitors all three points, but they remain in ninth position and outside of the play-off places on goal difference.

The O’s made three changes to the side that was beaten 4-0 by League Two leaders Northampton Town last weekend.

Frazer Shaw missed out completely while Jack Payne and Calaum Jahraldo-Martin dropped to the substitutes bench.

Jerome Binnom-Williams, on-loan from Crystal Palace, made his debut for the visitors at left-back as Nolan’s men lined up in a flat 4-4-2.

Nigel Atangana was in central midfield with the Orient player-manager as Sammy Moore and Jobi McAnuff started on the left and right wing.

Up front was Jay Simpson alongside Armand Gnanduillet – making his full debut for the away side.

The Magpies made a late change to their starting team with Wesley Atkinson coming in for Gary MacKenzie, who was ruled out.

It meant Mawouna Amevor came onto the bench for the home side before they kicked-off at Meadow Lane.

And the opening exchanges were lively, although neither club could create anything of significance.

Both teams had corners but failed to make the most of them and a Curtis Thompson centre was the most threatening piece of play created in the opening quarter of an hour, but it sailed out for a goal kick.

Orient were slowly getting on top with McAnuff looking lively and in the 23rd minute he found Gnanduillet in the box, but his low shot was easily saved by Roy Carroll.

More good play by the visitors resulted in Moore getting free down the right and crossing in for Simpson.

His header was easily caught and County broke forward with Jason Banton, but Mathieu Baudry made a good clearance from his centre.

The game became more even afterwards with neither team able to control possession and show enough quality on the ball.

A good flick by Gnanduillet presented Simpson with a chance, but he fired wide under pressure from the Magpies goalkeeper and it remained goalless with 10 minutes to go until half time.

McAnuff won a free kick three minutes later and Moore’s delivery picked out Brisley, but his header hit Jon Stead and went behind for a corner.

The O’s won another set piece when Brisley had a second header blocked before the third was eventually cleared by County.

Both sides pressed towards the end of the half and despite two minutes of stoppage time being added on, it was 0-0 at the interval.

Orient didn’t make the best of starts after the break as Moore gave possession away and the hosts break away.

McLeod went along, however, rather than passing to his team mate – free on the right – before the ball came to Banton.

He went past McAnuff and cut back towards the penalty spot, but Moore managed to atone his error and clear.

Liam Noble then had an effort from distance which Alex Cisak had to tip away from goal as the Magpies upped the ante.

The O’s responded, though, when Gnanduillet proved a nuisance in the box – holding off Carroll before laying back to McAnuff.

His effort through a crowd of County bodies was straight at the home goalkeeper and the opener continued to evade both teams.

Gnanduillet was becoming more prominent now, but often choosing the wrong option and in the 63rd minute blasted over the crossbar after good play between Nolan and Simpson.

That was his last action of the match as Ollie Palmer came on to replace him up front.

Orient’s player-manager was booked a minute later for catching Noble late – seconds after the County man had injured Binnom-Williams.

In the 67th minute the best opportunity of the match was created following a Moore corner.

His centre perfectly picked out Baudry, but his header was cleared off the goalline by Thompson and it was still goalless.

Jahraldo-Martin was introduced with 18 minutes left, coming on for Moore to try and inject some much-needed quality into the encounter at Meadow Lane.

And it had the desired effect as the Hull City loanee won a corner by showing some excellent pace.

McAnuff crossed into the box and Baudry had an effort clawed away by Carroll, after it bounced around in the area it was finally lashed in by Brisley.

The Peterborough United man lay on the ball to be congratulated by his team mates and it was a crucial goal with 16 minutes remaining.

It frustrated the home fans and they voiced their opinion towards the County bench and cheered when manager Jamie Fullarton slipped trying to control the ball.

On the pitch, the O’s were staying focused and Simpson had a shot go wide in the 82nd minute as they looked to extend their advantage.

Payne was introduced for player-manager Nolan with five minutes remaining at Meadow Lane as the seconds ticked away.

The fourth official signalled an extra four minutes of play with the Magpies fans getting even more restless.

And although Stead headed over the crossbar, Orient easily survived and held on to claim another victory on the road under Nolan.

Notts County: Carroll, Atkinson, Hewitt, Hollis, Adams, Banton, Thompson, Smith, Noble (Campbell 79), Stead, McLeod.

Unused substitutes: Loach, Amevor, Murray, Sharpe, Burke, Aborah.

Leyton Orient: Cisak, Hunt, Baudry, Brisley, Binnom-Williams, McAnuff, Nolan (Payne 85), Atangana, Moore (Jahraldo-Martin 72), Gnanduillet (Palmer 63), Simpson.

Unused substitutes: Grainger, Clohessy, Essam, Pritchard.

Attendance: 4,878 (639 Leyton Orient supporters).