Orient remain in play-off hunt after derby win

ORIENT'S play-off dreams remain firmly alive as Wayne Gray's second half strike proved enough to win this London derby at Millwall.

O's manager Martin Ling kept faith with the same team that beat Swindon on Tuesday night - meaning leading scorer Adam Boyd retained his place alongside Gray after his brace against the Robins.

The Lions had the first real effort at goal on 13 minutes, but Ali Fuseini's shot was well blocked by Brian Saah and the ball went out for a corner.

Saah produced another great clearance eight minutes later from Ryan Smith's dangerous looking cross.

It was a similar story on 33 minutes, when Danny Senda sent a right-footed shot from 12 yards over.

A minute later and JJ Melligan had a shot from just outside of the box blocked by Andy Frampton.

David Martin's free-kick from 25 yards was then easily saved by Glenn Morris.

After a dour first half, the second period came to life when keeper Rhys Evans clearance cannoned off Gray, but somehow just fell short of crossing the line.

Then on 50 minutes the game really came alive with the visitors breaking the deadlock.

A cross from the right by Melligan found Gray and he clinically finished from 12 yards past former O's loanee Rhys Evans.

The visitors chances of victory were then boosted on 57 minutes, when a cynical foul by Marc Laird on Melligan resulted in the Millwall man being shown a straight red card.

Jason Demetriou then had a shot from long range saved on 68 minutes.

Just two minutes later and Jay Simpson brought a great low save out of Glenn Morris.

The O's stopper then did well to tip Andy Frampton's header onto his bar and the O's were able to clear their lines.

Gray then appeared to pull Bas Savage over in the box, but ref Andy D'Urso waved play on.

The visitors had a great chance to make sure of the points a minute before the end, but sub Andy Barcham got his shot all wrong from six yards and fired wide.

But in the end Gray's strike proved enough to win it and give the visitors their first back-to-back victories since September.

Orient: Morris; Chambers, Thelwell, Saah, Palmer; Melligan (Barcham 76), Thornton, Terry, Demetriou; Gray Boyd ( Ibehre 73). Unused: Nelson (GK), Fortune, Echanomi.