Big forward scored his first goal of the campaign and it turned out to be the winner at Blundell Park

East London Advertiser: Leyton Orient's Liam Kelly forces the ball home at Grimsby (pic: Simon O'Connor)Leyton Orient's Liam Kelly forces the ball home at Grimsby (pic: Simon O'Connor) (Image: 07958 573219 simon.oconnor@virgin.net)

Ollie Palmer lavished praise on his former club Grimsby Town, but conceded it was great to score as Leyton Orient won 2-1 at Blundell Park.

Andy Hessenthaler’s team had to face a strong wind and a fired up Mariners in the first half of Saturday’s League Two clash.

But Paul Hurst’s side couldn’t take the opportunities they created and found themselves trailing in the 58th minute.

Liam Kelly pounced on an error before Palmer was introduced 18 minutes from time and scored his first of the campaign five minutes.

A long ball forward by Tom Parkes wasn’t controlled by Shaun Pearson and the ex-Grimsby striker ran through to score before a Dominic Zose’s late strike was little more than a consolation.

“It’s great to get on the scoresheet and it’s important to be winning games. We’ve come to a tough place and done that,” said Palmer.

“Grimsby has changed since I was last here, they’ve let a lot of players go and they need to kick on now they’re in the Football League.

“It’s a massive club, they’re building a new stadium and putting a lot of money into different areas. It’s important they do well and I wish the best of luck to Grimsby.”

Palmer spent the second half of the 2014/15 season on-loan at Blundell Park and scored eight times to help them reach the Conference final.

The 24-year-old decided to move to Brisbane Road, however, in the summer of 2015 from Mansfield Town over a return to the Mariners.

After impressing towards the end of last season, Palmer started this campaign as first choice under Orient boss Hessenthaler.

But having failed to score in his first three matches in all competitions, the ex-Mansfield Town striker was dropped for the 3-0 win against Stevenage last Tuesday.

However, after being introduced in the 72nd minute at Grimsby, he made his presence felt by scoring what would turn out to be the winner.

Palmer added: “All you can do when you’re on the bench is come on and make an impact. I did that and have done it on other occasions.

“I want to be starting games and hopefully the gaffer can put me back in the side and I can keep scoring goals.”

Orient were fortunate that when Palmer come on, they weren’t trailing to Grimsby at Blundell Park.

Omar Bogle was twice denied by Alex Cisak in the first half while he made excellent saves from James Berrett and Luke Summerfield as well.

The hosts had two penalty appeals, one on Craig Disley and the other on Bogle, but referee Graham Salisbury turned down both shouts.

And when James McKeown spilled Jordan Bowery’s cross, stand-in Orient captain Kelly was there to poke home the opener.

Palmer said: “The gaffer made it clear to the lads that we didn’t start the best, but that is going to happen.

“The boys still kept a clean sheet in the first half, they were patient and resilient in that way so credit to the lads for that and Liam did well to get the first goal and we kicked on from there.”

It was important O’s did build on the opener gifted to them, but they also deserve credit for doing so.

Hessenthaler’s team weren’t at their best against Grimsby, however they took their chances and the points – something they didn’t always do last season.