Leyton Orient 2 - 0 Cheltenham Town
Coca-Cola League One

ORIENT'S penalty kings proved the difference as the East Londoners finally put to bed a 12-match winless run against Cheltenham Town on Saturday.

Leading 1-0 through Gary Alexander's early strike, Orient were rocked seven minutes after half time when Jabo Ibehre conceded a spot kick after handballing a harmless cross in the area,

Glyn Garner got his striker out of jail, however, by beating away Grant McCann's effort and reinforcing his reputation as an expert penalty saver.

And then 15 miniutes later, Matt Lockwood showed the former West Ham man how it should be done by converting his chance after John Finnigan was penalised for another handball.

Lockwood's goal came just at the right time as Orient, who hard started excellently with Alexander opening the scoring in fine fashion, were being pushed onto the back foot.and their single-goal advantage was beginning to look precarious.

But at 2-0 the game was safe and Orient turned on the style to record their first victory since August 12.

Alexander, who returned to form with an excellent double strike at Oldham last week, got the O's off to a dream start when he controlled the ball following Matt Lockwood's throw in, teed the ball up and fired home on the turn from eight yards.

Orient continued to look the more threatening in the opening stages, and on 18 minutes, Alexander fed Peter Till in the right channel and he crossed well towards Michael Simpson, who headed wide under pressure.

The O's looked comfortable, but Cheltenham almost levelled it up after 24 minutes when Shane Duff charged into the six-yard box to meet Grant McCann's driven corner.  From such close range, a goal seemed certain, but Glyn Garner flung himself to the ground to flick it away with his leg.

Seven minutes later, Brian WIlson hit a stunning angled shot on the turn just wide of Garner's right hand post as the Robins threatened to find a route back into the game.

Cheltenham looked to be growing in stature as the first half wore on, with Orient losing their early impetus.  Away manager John Ward tried to take advantage of the shift by employing a 4-4-2 formation, but Orient reached the break with their lead intact.

However, they appeared equally sloppy at the start of the second half, and when Michael Simpson turned into trouble on the edge of his own box, Wilson was presented with an excellent chance to cross.  Damian Spencer was lurking menacingly in the middle, and he reached Wilson's pass to draw a save from Garner with a well-directed header.

And the Robins were given a great opportunity to equalise seven minutes after the break when referee Gary Sutton awarded them a penalty for an Ibehre handball in the box.

Garner, however, kicked McCann's powerfully-struck effort away to preserve the hosts' advantage.

Orient, finding themselves on the back foot, needed a second goal and Ibehre set about trying to find it when he collected a clearance from deep in the 63rd minute and unleashed a left-footed drive from 20 yards that flew over the crossbar.

It seemed to spark the O's into life, and four minutes later Adam Chambers, who was getting forward with great regularity from right back, collected Michael Simpson's clipped pass, and in trying to take the ball round John Finnigan, lured the Robins skipper into using his had.

The referee was unsighted, but his nearside assistant, Irvine Woodward, had no hesitation in awarding the penalty.

Lockwood showed no mercy, guiding the ball into the bottom left corner and beyond Higgs' dive to put the O's in a commanding position.

A great move on 75 minutes involving Wayne Corden, Ibehre and Alexander ended with Corden shooting straight at Higgs - and the O's second seemed to settle them significantly.

Paul Connor was played through by Craig Easton with seven minutes left, but Higgs closed the angles well and saved at the feet of the Orient striker.

It wasn't to matter though, as Orient had done enough to register that vital three-point haul - bringing Cheltenham back into their sights in the process.

	LEYTON ORIENT	COCA COLA LEAGUE 1		CHELTENHAM TOWN
1	Glyn GARNER	Brisbane Road 21/10/06		Shane HIGGS	1
3	Matt LOCKWOOD	Ref: Gary Sutton (Lincs)		Jerry GILL	2
4	Michael SIMPSON	Att: 4,310 (260 away)		Shane DUFF	4
6	John MACKIE (C)	Goals (time):		Gavin CAINES	5
8	Craig EASTON	Alexander (6)		Brian WILSON	7
9	Gary ALEXANDER	Garner saved McCann pen (52)		John FINNIGAN (C)	8
16	Peter TILL	Lockwood (pen 67)		Damian SPENCER	10
19	Jabo IBEHRE			Grant McCANN YC	11
25	Wayne CORDEN			David BIRD	14
26	Adam CHAMBERS			Kayode ODEJAYI	17
27	Alton THELWELL			Craig ARMSTRONG	19
	SUBSTITUTES	Replaced (time)		SUBSTITUTES
2	Donny BARNARD		10 (67)	Steve GUINAN	9
7	Shane TUDOR	16 (90)		Scott BROWN (GK)	12
12	Glenn MORRIS (GK)		17 (81)	Michael TOWNSEND	15
17	Daryl McMAHON		11 (67)	John MELLIGAN YC	22
18	Paul CONNOR	19 (78)		Mickey BELL	33