NO COX, BUT NO PROBLEM
LEYTON Orient began life without Dean Cox with an excellent victory at Morecambe, who were top at the start of play, and boss Andy Hessenthaler admitted they might have won by a bigger margin.
Liam Kelly put the O’s ahead in the 29th minute when he curled past Barry Roche from outside the area.
Although it remained that way until half-time, Shrimps’ Kevin Ellison smashed in from 25 yards just four minutes into the second period.
But Jordan Bowery had the final say in the 55th minute when his deflected effort from just inside the area beat Roche to give the east Londoners a deserved three points.
“I thought we were excellent, everything about us defensively and going forward was perfect,” said Hessenthaler.
“We probably should have got three or four, but the goalkeeper has made some good saves. Over the 90 minutes we were the better side and we got what we deserved.”
Shrimps boss Jim Bentley echoed the sentiments of Orient’s manager after seeing his team suffer their second league loss of the campaign.
“We are a better side than we have shown against Leyton Orient. Credit to them, they come here with a game plan,” said Bentley, who saw his side slip to second in the table.
“They have been committed and had a stroke of luck with the winner, but we’ve had that of late so hopefully it evens itself out over the season.
“We have not helped ourselves and we played a hand in losing the game because we haven’t performed as well as we have done of late.
“We never really got up to full speed of what we know we are capable of, so in all departments we can do better. I didn’t think we were absolutely shocking, but we’ve dipped below our standards and that is why we’ve lost the game.”
Orient took full advantage. It was an excellent performance by the east Londoners and achieved without Cox, who left the club by mutual consent on Thursday evening. The winger had been at Brisbane Road since 2010, but has departed in bizarre circumstances.
Hessenthaler added: “As far as I’m concerned and what I was told, Dean was offered a deal at Northampton Town and he agreed that deal.
“The club agreed to give him a free transfer and let him go because at the end of the day he’s been an absolute top servant for the club.
“I spoke to him on the Tuesday night and he said he was going. Unfortunately it didn’t materialise and he’s left the club, but I don’t think we need to talk any more about it.
“All I can say from a personal point of view is what a top lad and I can only say thank you to him for what he’s done at Orient over the years.
“I know the fans are disappointed he’s left, but it has happened. We wish him all the best and we thank him for all he’s done.”