League One leaders Leyton Orient bounced back from their midweek defeat with a vital 1-0 home win over Rotherham United this afternoon.
Russell Slade's side grabbed the lead during the first half when Kevin Lisbie marked his return from injury by netting his 12th goal of the season.
The Millers improved after the break but rarely threatened the home goal and Orient were deserved winners as they extended their unbeaten record at Brisbane Road.
The O's made two changes from the side beaten for the first time on Tuesday at Coventry City. Lisbie returned to the attack with Shaun Batt on the bench. But Mathieu Baudry was ruled out with a knee injury which meant Gary Sawyer came in and Scott Cuthbert reverted to centre back.
Orient had an early opportunity through Lloyd James but the midfielder's long-range shot was comfortably held by Adam Collin.
The hosts grabbed the opening goal after an almighty scramble in the area. Dean Cox picked up the ball and the midfielder was twice denied by brilliant saves from Adam Collin but Lisbie pounced to smash home the rebound from close range.
Orient went close shortly afterwards from James' cross but Lisbie was unable to direct his header on target.
The O's were pushing for a second goal and Cox went close but his thumping strike was blocked by Mark Bradley.
From the corner, Orient should have doubled their lead but Romain Vincelot sent a free header wide of the post.
Orient deserved their advantage at the break and could have extended it after the restart but Cox's fierce strike was tipped over by Collin.
The visitors were offering very little in attack but had a rare strike through Kieran Agard which flew past the post.
Rotherham were enjoying their best spell of the match and former O's striker Alex Revell had another effort but his shot rose over the bar.
The O's were on the backfoot and had another scare but Agard's powerful strike, from a tight angle, went just wide of Jamie Jones' post.
Slade made a double substitution midway through the half when he brought on Batt and Marvin Bartley in place of David Mooney and James.
Orient had a chance to test the keeper from a free-kick but Sawyer's effort was comfortably held by Collin.
The home side made their final substitution when top scorer Lisbie was replaced by Jayden Stockley.
Batt had the chance to kill off the game on the break but the substitute fired an effort straight at the visiting keeper.
The O's were denied a second goal in injury time when Cox's strike produced a brilliant one-handed save from Collin and Stockley nearly netted from the rebound but his shot was cleared off the line.
It was far from a vintage performance but a very important response from Slade's side following their midweek defeat as they claimed their 11th win of the season.
Leyton Orient: Jones; Omozusi, Clarke, Cuthbert, Sawyer; Cox, James (Bartley, 68), Vincelot, Odubajo; Lisbie (Stockley, 84), Mooney (Batt, 68)
Subs not used: Larkins, Lasimant, Gorman, Sutherland
Rotherham United: Collin; Bradley, Skarz (Tubbs, 84), Frecklington, Arnason; Morgan, O'Connor (Nardiello, 57), Pringle, Milsom; Revell, (Eaves, 80) Agard
Subs not used: Shearer, Brindley, Mills, Tidser
Referee: Darren Sheldrake
Attendance: 5,609
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here