Leyton Orient 0 - 3 Carlisle United
Coca-Cola League One
ORIENT'S two-match winning run came to a shuddering halt at Brisbane Road on Saturday when promotion-chasing Carlisle stormed to a 3-0 win.
The Cumbrians were already 2-0 up through goals from Danny Graham and David Raven before Orient's JJ Melligan was red carded for going in with two feet on Evan Horwood.
Carlisle, who moved up to second with this three-point haul, dominated throughout and O's fans feared a humiliation when Grant Smith made it three just after half time.
On a day when Martin Ling's men would have been grateful for small mercies, that proved the end of the scoring - but Carlisle's heavy victory was more than merited.
It was Carlisle who forced the first shooting opportunity of the afternoon when Danny Graham took control of a bouncing ball in midfield and passed to Cleveland Taylor on the right. The former Scunthorpe wingman took the shot on early, but he sliced wide of the near post.
Shortly afterwards, Adam Chambers covered round from right back to deny Marc Bridge-Wilkinson from converting Graham's low cross as the visitors settled first.
However, with nine minutes on the clock, Jason Demetriou's inswinging cross was just beyond the reach of Sean Thornton, who would only have needed a touch to give Orient the lead.
The visitors were testing Orient with their fluid attacking movement and former Middlesbrough striker Graham headed them into a 17th minute lead when Chris Lumsdon's inch-perfect cross picked him out eight yards from goal.
Carlisle were doing a good job of controlling the tempo of the game and it came as little surprise when they doubled their advantage in the 32nd minute.
Orient failed to deal with a bouncing ball in the box and right back Raven found space to drill into the roof of the net from the middle of the penalty area.
The hosts' predicament worsened a minute later when Melligan was red carded for going in for a tackle off the ground on Carlisle's Horwood
Carlisle thought they had added a third on 39 when Graham nodded home from close range, but a raised flag for offside cut short the celebrations.
O's boss Martin Ling introduced Jabo Ibehre and Stephen Purches from the bench at half-time, but Carlisle weren't prepared to show the O's any mercy and Taylor almost made it 3-0 just after the break when he forced a good low stop from Morris.
But the visitors didn't have to wait long to extend their lead, with Smith firing into the bottom right-hand corner in the 49th minute after a swift attack left Orient stretched allowing Marc Bridge-Wilkinson to feed his fellow midfielder.
Bridge-Wilkinson curled an effort just over the bar ten minutes later and Orient would have been happy to hear the final whistle there and then.
But the visitors weren't going to let them off that easily and Morris did well to dive to his right and repel Simon Hackney's fierce 15-yard effort.
Midway through the half, Brian Saah's attempted pass out of defence was intercepted by Hackney, who ran forcefully towards goal but shot weakly wide.
Orient made more of an impression in the last third of the game and Keiren Westwood was finally forced into his first save 15 minutes from time when Jabo Ibehre shot towards goal.
The O's had been totally outclassed, though, and Morris again had to be alert to stop sub Gary Madine's effort as time ticked on.
Carlisle couldn't find a fourth to add further gloss to the scoreline and Orient will be grateful to have kept the score to 3-0.
Leyton Orient: Morris; Chambers, Thelwell (Daniels 62), Saah, Palmer; Melligan, Thornton (Purches 46), Terry, Demetriou; Gray, Boyd (Ibehre 46)
Subs: Nelson (GK), Barcham,
Booked: Terry, Chambers, Daniels
Sent off: Melligan
Carlisle: Westwood; Raven, Livesey, Murphy, Horwood; Taylor (Carlton 75), Bridge-Wilkinson (Madine 82), Lumsdon, Smith, Hackney; Graham (Dobie 64)
Subs: Arnison, Howarth (GK)
Goals: Graham 17, Raven 32, Smith 49
Booked: Murphy
Referee: Keith Hill (Hertfordshire)
Attendance: 6,134 (890 away)
