Revell injury is a big blow

Who is the right fix to step in for crocked Alex Revell?

Injury could not have come at a worse time for the striker or the team, with the play-off spots still in sight after a run of bad form.

So if there was ever a time for Revell to rediscover his early scoring touch, the five remaining games were it.

But a knee injury means he could be out for the rest of the campaign.

Harry Kane is an imposing forward with five goals already, but can the Spurs loanee take the burden on his 17-year-old shoulders?

Frenchman Jonathan Téhoué is an option, but has repeatedly struggled when starting games.

Meanwhile, Ryan Jarvis has long been out of favour with Slade.

But a solution is needed, unless 37-year-old McGleish is to become a lone target man for long balls.

Last weekend, Southampton showed why they are favourites for automatic promotion.

Nigel Adkins' side were resilient after Jimmy Smith twice put the ball over the line in the first half for Orient, only for each effort to be ruled out by the officials.

Smith’s first disallowed goal was a narrow call, when he edged in front of Jóse Fonte to meet Andrew Whing’s inswinging low cross, with just six minutes on the clock.

Then the linesman’s thorough knowledge of the rules of the game saw him make the right call to rule out Smith’s second attempt, three minutes from half-time.

Smith poked the ball into the net at the far post during a goalmouth melee, from Barrett’s scuffed shot, only for the flag to rise again.

The last Saints man was in front of Smith on the line, but unfortunately not keeper Kelvin Davis.

He was sprawled on the ground six yards from goal behind Smith, making the Orient man offside, according to the formula of the rule.

Orient then conceded advantage to dangerman Rickie Lambert on 26 minutes.

He ghosted in behind Elliot Omozusi to meet Ryan Dickson's cross, beating the oblivious centre-back at the near post and heading past keeper Jamie Jones.

Defeat was sealed late on by ex-O Lee Bernard.

It was a simple tap-in for the Saints striker, after Lambert broke up the pitch and then squared to him on 88 minutes.

Orient were sunk by a sleek attacking side with the mental toughness to withstand heavy blows by the east London play-off hopefuls.

The hosts carved out chances but Téhoué, starting in place of Revell, failed to supply the killer touch in front of goal.

The Frenchman looked sluggish out of his usual role as impact substitute. His battering-ram style was ineffectual on opposition not yet tired.

Boss Slade was smarting afterwards at the scoreline.

“They scored at the end, which flatters them, because it was a really brave performance from us. There was so much effort and enthusiasm there.

"Occasionally in a season the better side loses, and for sure that was the case for me.

"It was more than harsh,” continued Slade. “Games of this stature between two teams pushing for promotion are normally always tight, but that was the most one-sided 2-0 defeat I've ever been involved in.”

Go to www.guardian-series.co.uk/sport for all the Exeter City v Orient action this Saturday.