Sky Bet League Two: Grimsby Town 1 Leyton Orient 2

Leyton Orient made it back-to-back victories in League Two thanks to goals from Liam Kelly and Ollie Palmer at Grimsby Town.

The hosts dominated proceedings during the first half, but just couldn’t take their opportunities.

And although Andy Hessenthaler’s team weren’t at their best, they took their chances and held on for the victory.

Hessenthaler made one change to the team that defeated Stevenage 3-0 on Tuesday night as Jordan Bowery started.

There was no place for Jay Simpson or Paul McCallum on the substitute’s bench and as a result O’s only had six replacements at Blundell Park.

Before kick-off, a magnificent tribute to mark the 100-year anniversary of the Somme was held including members from the Mariners and Orient.

Dean Cox got proceedings underway shortly afterwards with a strong blustery wind present in north Lincolnshire.

Only four minutes were on the clock when the conditions affected things as Grimsby had the first chance of note.

Yvan Erichot struggled to deal with a long ball that got held up in the wind, Omar Bogle got in on goal, but Alex Cisak blocked well.

O’s goalkeeper was called into action again less than 60 seconds later when James Berrett let fly from outside the area.

Cisak saved well and Orient gave away a corner, which was taken quickly and Luke Summerfield headed wide.

It was a bright start by the Mariners and Hessenthaler’s team were struggling to keep hold of possession.

After appearing to weather the early storm, some visiting fans would have been holding their breath in the 19th minute.

Craig Disley controlled in the box and went down after Sandro Semedo appeared to poke a leg out.

Referee Graham Salisbury gave a free kick to the away side, deeming it a dive from the Grimsby midfielder.

The O’s then attacked with purpose five minutes later and Nigel Atangana released Bowery down the right.

He crossed into the box and Josh Gowling smashed his clearance against defensive partner Shaun Pearson and it just cleared the crossbar.

Mariners responded with half an hour played when Bogle controlled on the edge and forced Cisak to parry over.

Gowling was looking shaky at the back, though, and failed to clear a long ball forward by Orient’s goalkeeper.

Bowery made the most of the error and saw his sliced effort pushed over by James McKeown.

The corner came to nothing and Erichot was the first person into the book in the 33rd minute when he caught Ashley Chamblers late.

After a quiet period in the match, Grimsby finished the half strongly and should have opened the scoring three minutes before the interval.

Danny Andrews did well on the left and crossed in for Kayden Jackson, but the forward side footed over from four-yards.

Summerfield tested Cisak two minutes later before Bogle went down in the box with Erichot and Nicky Hunt in close proximity.

A corner was given, however, and despite two minutes of stoppage time, O’s survived and come in level at the break.

The Mariners started strongly after the interval and Jackson got an early cross into the box that Cisak held onto well.

Grimsby’s forward was involved again three minutes later when he sprinted past Tom Parkes and forced O’s goalkeeper to push behind for a corner.

Paul Hurst’s side went close again in the 49th minute as Chambers crossed in for Berrett, but he headed over.

The pressure continued with Chambers firing wide before Bogle’s dangerous ball across the Orient box evaded everyone.

Hessenthaler’s men did produce their best move of the match shortly afterwards when Harry Cornick showed bright footwork.

Gavin Massey was released down the right and he drove into the area, however his shot was deflected wide and the corner come to nothing.

But against the run of play in the 58th minute, O’s took the lead following a poor mistake by Grimsby’s goalkeeper.

Kelly started the move by playing Bowery in down the right, he crossed in and McKeown fumbled the centre and Kelly was on hand to score his first goal for the club.

It was harsh on the hosts, but suddenly the east Londoners were full of confidence and attacking with more flair.

Cox’s corner was met by Parkes in the 63rd minute, but the central defender could only head wide of goal.

Cisak then handled outside the area but wasn’t booked and the following free kick come to nothing.

Grimsby tried to force an equaliser as Ogle fired wide before Pearson volleyed off target from outside the area.

Palmer was then introduced by Orient with 18 minutes remaining, taking the position of Cox.

It would prove to be an inspired substitution as the ex-Grimsby striker found the net in the 77th minute.

Mariners defender Pearson got the ball caught under his foot, Palmer ran through and found the net to score his first of the season.

Although the hosts pushed to get back on level terms, they struggled to get past Cisak until stoppage time.

Substitute Dominic Vose had an effort deflected over the Orient goalkeeper and into the back of the net.

It wasn’t to matter too much, though, as O’s held on to secure back-to-back victories in the division.

Grimsby Town: McKeown, Davies, Pearson, Gowling, Andrew, Berrett (Vose 69), Disley, Summerfield, Chambers, Bogle, Jackson (Vernon 77).

Unused substitutes: Warrington, Browne, Mills, Bolarinwa, Boyce.

Leyton Orient: Cisak, Hunt, Erichot, Parkes, Semedo, Kelly, Atangana, Massey, Cox (Palmer 72), Cornick, Bowery.

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

Attendance: 4,991 (347 Leyton Orient supporters).