ADRIAN Patulea was the man tonight as he went so close so often before finally settling this entertaining cup match in the dying moments.

He got the end of a flick on by sub James Scowcroft and then took all his frustration out with a shot which nearly burst the net.

It assured Orient's passage into round three of this Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

Patulea was given a full 90 minutes by boss Geraint Williams, and he left it late to repay that faith.

He had been a lively presence all through this match, hitting the bar with one header and having another cleared off the line.

ORIENT made by far the most chances in this Johnstone's Paint round two match, The O's always looked the side most likely to do something in this game against League One opponents.

Colchester boss Adi Boothroyd was among this small crowd numbering 1,457, ahead of Saturday's League One clash between the two sides.

But how much useful information he will have from this is debatable, as O's boss Geraint Williams rung the changes.

He gave starts to Luke Ashworth at centre-back, Loick Pires and Harry Baker in midfield, as well as Adrian Patulea alongside Ryan Jarvis up-front. Scott McGleish stayed at home.

The low attendance of O's fans maybe connected to this game's absence from the list of matches on a Brisbane Road season ticket.

Jason Demetiou raised the temperature on six minutes with an yellow card challenge from which Glenn Murray headed just wide the resultant high ball into the box.

Later on 11 minutes, Murray went to ground in installments in the Orient area in hope of hearing the whistle. Ref Grant Hegley obliged and ordered him up.

Patulea has looked good when he has got the chance to perform and he peeled off his marker on 17 minutes and broke into the area, then dragged his shot just wide of the far post.

Loick Pires has supplied him the through ball, and the youngster looked an improved player; happy to track back and also more precise in the pass than he has been.

An open first half provided entertainment enough for the paying customers although chances were at a real premium and Heglyey in black seemed a touch whistle happy.

On the half hour mark, Patulea dribbled past two defenders into the area in a display of close control which just lacked an end product.

Unafraid to take on defenders, he makes a case for a more starts in the first team whenever he plays.

The link-up play between him and Pires down the left was cause for cheer. Baker meanwhile, was quiet throughout the first half and was dominated by Brighton's defenders.

In goal, Jones seemed comfortable with 555 bellicose Brigton fans at his back in the South Stand. He easily collected Dean COx's shot on 34 minutes.

His positioning was just right throughout and he looked comfortable On 40 minutes, the lively Murray bustled his way through demetriou, Daniels, and Tamikawire into the box but hit a limp shot at Jones.

Williams hauled off the quiet Jarvis and replaced him with veteran Jamie Scowcroft for the second half.

Pires began it in the same vein he ended the first period, cutting into the area from the left wing on minutes but taking a touch too much.

Ashworth was another of Orient's fringe players to impress in this cup game.

On 54 minutes, he got a vital touch to intercept a dangerous low square pass in the area as Murray lurked in anticipation.

On the hour mark, Baker, who looked off the pace all game, was not at the far post to be on the end of whipped in cross by Demetriou from the left side.

Patulea was a dynamo all evening and just needs to improve his decision making. On 63 minutes he broke into the area from the touch-line, leaving Tommy Elphick trailing. But keeping the ball too long, he was dispossessed in a great position six yards out.

Andros Townsend is a bright spark and can ignite a game with his pace. He looked hungry for action when he got on. The Spurs loanee look determined to do it all himself; running at defenders and shooting; feinting passes and putting Pires through on 71 minutes who was just beaten to the ball by keeper Graeme Smith.

Brighton's Dean Cox looked to match him and on 76 minutes turned inside Cave-Brown and broke into the area and shot. Mkandawire threw himself at the ball, and Dean Cox fluffed his follow-up effort from eight yards.

Patulea came so close on 84 minutes when he met Townsend's cross at the far post. His header across goal beat Smith and was beaten off the line. Townsend forced a fine save out of him straight afterwards with a fizzing 25 yard strike.

Pires went close a minute later, rising to meet Smith's deep cross from the right.

Then Patulea went even closer with a header which hit the bar on 89 minutes. Unmarked in the box as he rose to Demetriou's cross, He should have finished it off then, but more than made amends minutes later.

Jones, Mkandawire, Ashworth, Demetriou, Daniels, Jarvis (Scowcroft 45), Cave-Brown, Pires, Baker (Townsend 64), Smith, Patulea.