Leyton Orient were beaten 2-1 by Burton Albion at the Pirelli Stadium on Saturday. A late winner from Will Collar condemned the O's to a second consecutive league defeat, extending their recent form to just one win, one draw, and three losses from their last five outings.
Alexander Gilbert gave the visitors the lead after 33 minutes, finishing a move to put his side ahead. Burton responded after the break, with Kgagelo Chauke levelling the scores in the 56th minute. The decisive moment came with just four minutes of normal time remaining, as Collar converted from a Caylon Vickers assist to secure all three points for the hosts.
Wellens made several changes in the second half in search of a response. Phillip Chinedu replaced James Morris just after the hour mark, with Aaron Connolly and Armando Dobra also introduced. The alterations could not prevent a defeat that leaves Leyton Orient 12th in the League One table with 14 points from 11 games, having recorded four wins and two draws. The team has scored 15 goals and conceded 12 this season, giving them a goal difference of plus three, but they now find themselves eight points behind the league leaders, Stockport County.
The result extends a difficult recent run, with the O's having taken just one win from their last five matches. They have now lost back-to-back games, following a 1-0 defeat at Reading earlier in the week. Top scorer Jaze Kabia, who has four goals this season, was substituted after 80 minutes.
Leyton Orient must now regroup quickly ahead of a significant home fixture next Saturday against Cambridge United, who are fourth in the table. The team will be aiming to arrest their slide and climb back towards the top half of the standings.
Leyton Orient manager Richie Wellens said goalkeeper Nathan Baxter's first-half performance was key in keeping his side in the game at Burton. "Nathan made three crucial saves early on to keep us level," Wellens said. The defeat leaves Leyton Orient 15th in League One with 14 points from 12 games. They have now lost their last two matches and are 11 points behind leaders Huddersfield Town.
Leyton Orient manager Richie Wellens has criticised his squad's fitness levels after the 2-1 defeat at Burton Albion. "At the moment I think we're cheating our supporters," Wellens told reporters on Monday. He said the team is not currently good enough to challenge for the play-offs, sitting 15th in League One with 14 points from 12 games. Wellens highlighted that deadline-day signings Dane Scarlett and Alex Gilbert are lacking match fitness.
Leyton Orient manager Richie Wellens has reiterated his criticism of his squad's fitness levels. Speaking on Monday, Wellens told reporters that some players' conditioning is "nowhere near" the required standard. He specifically highlighted that deadline-day signings Dane Scarlett and Alex Gilbert, who scored in the 2-1 defeat at Burton, are having to get match fit during games. The club, currently 15th in League One with 14 points from 12 games, has lost its last two matches.
