Orient were sunk by a late strike from Carlisle new boy Lee Miller as Russell Slade’s side remain pointless following a 2-1 defeat.

Jamie Cureton came closest to giving Orient a first half lead when he attempted to lift the ball over the keeper but it was easily gathered.

David Mooney went close after the break with a volleyed effort but Stephen O’Halloran got his body in the way to deny the former Reading forward.

Jimmy Smith opened the scoring though on 53 minutes, heading home a low free kick from Dean Cox, but a header from Miller levelled the match with 20 minutes to play.

And with just three minutes left on the clock, Miller tapped in from close range to condemn the O’s to another defeat.

Slade made three changes from the side that lost last weekend at Brentford with new signing David Button coming straight into the starting line up.

Button joined the O’s on Thursday on loan from Spurs and replaced Lee Butcher between the sticks.

Leon McSweeney was back in the side after declaring himself ready for selection and took his place in midfield as Michael Richardson dropped to the bench.

Cureton partnered Mooney up front while Alex Revell was named amongst the substitutes.

Also on the bench were Terrell Forbes, Marc Laird and Jonathan Téhoué who returned following his three match suspension.

The O’s pressed forward immediately from kick off, looking to assert their authority but it was the visitors who had the first effort as Miller’s tame shot drifted well wide three minutes in.

The returning McSweeney looked tenacious in midfield but his over-exuberance saw him receive a caution after eight minutes when he caught Tom Taiwo with a late challenge.

Cox had the first meaningful effort at goal 18 minutes in, receiving the ball from Mooney before working some space to strike but his deflected effort fell wide.

The resulting corner almost saw the ball fall kindly to Cureton in front of goal but goalkeeper Adam Collin was able to quickly gather.

Cureton was proving a livewire up front though and neat work from the forward saw McSweeney played in but the Irishman’s effort was blocked for a corner.

Minutes later, Cureton came close to opening the scoring himself. Charlie Daniels’ cross from the left touchline expertly picked out the former Exeter forward who was able to control with his chest before attempting to lift the ball over Collin but the stopper was wise to the effort.

Button was called into action for the first time after 34 minutes, leaping high to deny James Berrett’s fierce shot as the visitors appeared restricted to efforts from distance.

Orient were still looking a threat themselves though and Cox would have felt unlucky not to have given them a half time lead as McSweeney’s cross from the right found the winger but he was unable to wrap his foot around it as it went over.

The O’s continued where they left off at the beginning of the second period with Mooney sending in a fierce goal-bound volley which was blocked on the line by former Aston Villa youngster O’Halloran.

Slade’s men weren’t to be denied though and took the lead shortly after when Smith dived at the ball in the middle of the penalty area to head home a Cox free kick.

It was no more than Orient deserved as Carlisle conceded their first goal on their travels this term.

The hosts suffered a nervous moment just passed the hour though when Button showed some hesitancy in clearing a ball, as substitute François Zoko blocked his clearance and was set to shoot before an excellent saving tackle from Scott Cuthbert.

Carlisle were back on level terms shortly after and Zoko was involved again.

The substitute broke free wide on the right and crossed for an unmarked Miller to head home on his debut.

Orient didn’t let their heads drop though and continued to show attacking intent by pushing forward – Ben Chorley hit the side netting from a corner before Téhoué rifled a strike at the keeper from outside the box.

Despite their pressure though, Miller was to have the final say when he tapped in from close range.

Matty Robson’s free kick was palmed on to the bar and Button did well to block Liam Noble’s follow up but was helpless to prevent Miller from stealing all three points.

Orient: Button; Omozusi, Chorley, Cuthbert, Daniels; Smith, Dawson, McSweeney (Laird 78), Cox; Mooney (Téhoué 65), Cureton (Revell 83).

Subs: Forbes, Richardson.

Carlisle: Collin; Tavernier, Michalik, O’Halloran, Robson; Berrett, Taiwo (Zoko 58), McGovern (Curran 79), Thirlwell (Noble 68), Welsh; Miller.

Subs: Livesey, Gillespie.

Attendance: 3,524 (363)