Leyton Orient beaten 1-0 at home to Bristol Rovers

The O's boss felt his side deserved far more than a 1-0 defeat at Brisbane Road, a result that did nothing to help their charge towards the League One play-offs.

Chris Martin got the winner for the Gas on the half-hour, with the visitors also having to see out the final seven minutes of normal time with 10 men following a red card for James Wilson.

Leyton Orient manager Richie Wellens against Bristol Rovers. Picture: TGS PHOTO (Image: TGS Photo)

"It was a smash and grab," said Wellens.

"We conceded three shots on our goal and they scored from one of them. It was a poor goal for us to give away.

"A sloppy free-kick and a cheap set play but the delivery was very good and Martin does what he does best, which is to get across people in the box.

"Second half, I can’t even remember them being in our box or in our half at times.

"We had 18 corners and started the game OK with opportunities to take people on but just looked just a bit leggy.

"It was a disappointing day in terms of results this afternoon but another really solid performance.

"We’ve lost two games when we’ve played midweek and the opposition haven’t.

"It’s not an excuse but we did look tired and hence why I need to make changes."

Rovers, who were forced into a change after just four minutes when defender Jack Hunt left the pitch with a leg injury, should have scored the opener in the 13th minute when the dangerous Scott Sinclair teed up Luke Thomas but he completely missed his kick with the goal beckoning.

However, the lively visitors grabbed the lead on the half-hour mark from a set-piece.

Skipper Antony Evans curled in a teasing free-kick and Martin claimed the faintest of touches as the ball found its way into the far corner of the net.

Orient totally dominated possession after the interval but were unable to unlock a resilient and resolute opposition.

Wilson was given a straight red card eight minutes from time for an off-the-ball incident with Brandon Cooper, but despite incessant pressure and the host of corners, Orient were unable to capitalise.

Rovers boss Matt Taylor revealed he was left out of pocket after the victory.

He said: "This game has cost me £500 for the clean sheet and £500 for the set-piece goal.

"I’m having to bribe players as we’re going to Cheltenham races in a few weeks, so £1,000 is a lot of money and you can buy a lot of nappies for that but it was more than worth it.

"I thought it was a high-quality game of football in the first half. Orient are a really strong team and we know they have a fluid rhythm about them but I liked our structure.

"They started the second half really brightly and we changed our shape and got more of a foothold in the game, and I didn’t think our goalkeeper was overworked.

"But the unexpected happened and we lost a player for the last 15 minutes of the game.

"We then had to withstand the pressure with backs against the wall defending and we rode our luck at times, but again Jed [Ward, goalkeeper] has only really had to make a couple of saves."