ORIENT: Leyton Orient 1 Millwall 0

LEYTON ORIENT picked up their first home win of the season thanks to a flash of brilliance from young winger Andros Townsend.

On for the injured Jason Demetriou, the 18-year-old took just two minutes to make his mark on the game. A deft touch and a sweetly struck volley was all it took to lift the gloom that has been hanging over Brisbane Road and quash talk of a home hex, earning the O's a valuable win that lifts them out of the League One drop zone.

Orient's only win of the season up until this point came on the opening day at Bristol Rovers, but fans and players alike will be hoping this victory can kickstart their campaign.

Somewhat predictably, with both teams out of nick heading into the contest, the game began scrappily.

Both sets of players seemed reluctant to take control of the ball during a cagey start, although the lively Demetriou did make several forays into enemy territory, forcing a free-kick and then a comfortable save out of David Forde in the Lions' goal.

Neither side enjoyed a great deal of possession and, as a result, chances were few and far between in the first half.

The closest either side came to a breakthrough was when O's defender Ben Chorley clipped a ball forward towards James Scowcroft, who was hanging on the shoulder of the last man. The former Leicester City man took the ball in his stride but seemed surprised to find himself bearing down on goal, opting to twist his body to fashion a right-footed shot that ran feebly past the post, when a left-footed effort appeared the best option.

JJ Melligan, who was anonymous for most of the first period, started to come to life as the half-time whistle approached, forcing a free-kick down the right, which he swung in onto the head of Tamika Mkandawire, but the defender could only glance the ball over the bar from a difficult angle.

A dour half was brought to an end by referee Steve Tanner, and many of the 5255 people in the stand were left clinging to the hope that things could not get any worse after the break.

Indeed, things got a great deal better for the home side. However, Townsend's magic moment came only as a result of a nasty-looking injury to Demetriou.

Chasing back to challenge for a bouncing ball, the winger clashed with Chris Hackett as the pair went up for a header.

Demetriou was forced off to have stitches on his head wound, and Geraint Williams threw Townsend on in his place.

His first touch of the ball triggered a penetrating run at the heart of the Millwall defence, and that proved to be a sign of things to come.

Just a minute later Scowcroft managed to get something on Melligan's cross, and the ball fell kindly for Townsend. The winger took one touch before unleashing a fierce left-footed volley that cannoned off the far post and into net.

Sensing that a first home win of the season was on the cards the hosts went into their shell and invited the visitors onto them.

Neil Harris broke through, having got the better of Mkandawire but Charlie Daniels was in the right place at the right time to make the vital interception.

Orient were relying on the pace of Townsend and the odd long ball towards Scowcroft on the counter-attack.

And it was the youngster who almost doubled the lead for the O's, but his rasping shot from distance was parried over by Forde.

His mazy run then forced a free-kick, but Jimmy Smith's effort curled high and wide of the upright.