Conor Wilkinson scored a dramatic 87th winner as Orient came home from Carlisle with all three points.
A long ball from Orient keeper Lawrence Vigouroux found Wilkinson who calmly lobbed Paul Farman in the Carlisle net as he desperately tried to clear the ball.
The victory marks four games unbeaten for Jobi McAnuff’s men and their second consecutive 1-0 away win as they attempt to make a late push for a promotion place. The result sees them move up to 11th.
Bright Start
Carlisle started the brighter of the two sides and Callum Gray saw his free kick effort fizz past Vigouroux and into the side netting, following a foul from Tunji Akinola.
Danny Johnson was up top for Orient and he would have their first chance of the game, but his effort forced a good stop from Farman.
Carlisle finished the half the stronger of the two sides as Rhys Bennett’s headed effort went wide and soon after Jon Mellish was unable find either side of Vigouroux as he hit one straight down the Chilean’s throat.
After the break, Dan Kemp’s in-swinging corner troubled Farman in net but the keeper did well to scramble the ball over the bar.
Wilkinson nearly gave Orient the lead soon after. The striker could only find the roof of the net after cleverly flicking the ball over the head of Hayden in defence, but he couldn’t get his volley on target.
The game looked to be petering out until Vigouroux found Wilkinson with an ambitious ball forward. Farman was slow to come out and never got to the ball as he had to watch the ball sail over his head and into the back of the net.
That would be the last chance as Orient secured a dramatic win.
“It Doesn’t Get Much Better Than That”
Following the game McAnuff said: “It doesn’t get much better than that, a last-minute winner away from home, particular with the journey we’ve had to make a couple of times now.
“To come out on top in a real tough game [was great], the conditions were difficult, the wind was very tough to deal with for both teams which I feel impacted on the quality of the game.
“The biggest message from us and has been throughout is that if we’ve not good enough to win it, and at times It felt like it tonight, then make sure we’re not losing games”
The O’s will now turn their attentions to Saturday’s game against Oldham Athletic at The Breyer Group Stadium.
Photo: courtesy of Leyton Orient FC
