1 min
Danny Johnson’s 17th goal of the season was enough for Leyton Orient to beat promotion chasing Salford City and record back-to-back home wins for the O’s.
Johnson’s neat 31st minute strike from 18 yards came against the run of play but gave Orient a lead they never looked like relinquishing.
Salford started the better side and should have taken the lead on the quarter hour mark as James Wilson did well to cross from the left but Brandon Thomas-Asante inexplicably missed with the goal at his mercy.
However, Orient made their first meaningful opportunity count when Jobi McAnuff found Johnson on the edge of the 18 yard box whose quick turn and shot nestled in the bottom corner.
The second-half saw Johnson go close again early on but his dink hit the side netting while James Brophy then set up Lee Angol only for the frontman to head tamely into Vaclav Hladky’s arms.
With the clock running down Salford threw caution to the wind, Wilson seeing his goalbound effort blocked before Ian Henderson was denied by Lawrence Vigoroux.
But Orient produced a fantastic defensive display to secure their second win and clean sheet of the week and keep their promotion hopes very much alive.
Key Points
Check out all the key talking points and reaction from London Football Scene below…
Key Moment
Brandon Thomas-Asante’s miss from two yards out kept Leyton Orient in the game at a time when Salford were completely dominating.
Moan of the Match
Danny Johnson proved what a lethal frontman he is but sometimes the limitations of Orient’s 4-3-3 formation left him isolated.
Talking Point
Two wins in a week for Orient and the same starting line-up, it’s very much a squad game but is this Orient’s best XI?
Man of the Match
Sam Ling – sometimes maligned by the Orient fanbase, the right-back was defensively solid and the standout defender in a resolute Orient defence.
Tweet of the Match
Referee Watch
Carl Brook (East Sussex) – if the best referee performances are when you don’t notice the man in the middle then this was a 10/10 display.
Atmosphere
The number of Orient fans prepared to brave the elements in the surrounding flats has diminished but the few that remain cheered their heroes on.
Verdict
Two back-to-back wins and clean sheets have put Orient right in the Play-Off mix once again. This is the template the O’s will be looking to maintain against all their Play-Off rivals.
