Notts County succumb to lacklustre home defeat against Leyton Orient

So much for “showing off their progress” – Notts County may have clinched three wins on the road under new manager Jamie Fullarton, but in front of their own fans they once again came up short, this time in a 1-0 defeat to Leyton Orient.

The hosts threatened through Curtis Thompson but his teasing cross just evaded his side’s forwards early on, while Jason Banton, making his Meadow Lane debut, also flashed in a number of balls into – and through – the box, to no avail.

The visitors had their first effort on goal midway through the half but Armand Gnanduillet’s cross-shot lacked power and was easily held by veteran goalkeeper Roy Carroll.

Jay Simpson then had an opportunity from a Sammy Moore cross but his header looped up safely into the arms of Carroll, and Shaun Brisley went close with a header towards the end of the half but Jon Stead managed to block the ball.

With neither side opening the scoring in the first half, Notts began brightly after the restart, with Alan Smith blasting wide from distance and Liam Noble testing Alex Cisak, also from range.

Orient, however, were soon back on the front foot and made the breakthrough in the 76th minute when Baudry’s shot was blocked and Brisley poked the ball home after an almighty scramble in the penalty area.

The Kop faithful soon began voicing their bemusement at what they were witnessing, with Fullarton coming under fire for his tactics and shyness when it came to substitutions – not making any changes until the 78th minute.

As the game ebbed to a close, four minutes of injury time were announced, but the closest Notts came was a Stead header over as the visitors clinched all three points.

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