Goals from Dean Cox and David Mooney gave Orient victory in the fourth meeting between the two highest scorers in League One this season.
Coventry came to Brisbane Road for the third time this season, after defeats in the Capital One Cup and Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, but had the consolation of being the first team to beat Orient in the League at The Sixfields Stadium, ending The O’s 12 league game unbeaten run from the start of the season.
The Sky Blues were without top scorer Leon Clarke, who picked up a foot injury in the Friday night FA Cup 4-0 loss to Arsenal. Leyton Orient’s top scorer David Mooney made his comeback on the bench, after missing seven games through suspension and injury.
Honours were even in the first half, but Orient got stronger in the second half, and following a chance by Frank Moussa for the visitors, the O’s awarded a penalty after Chris Dagnall was tripped in the box. Kevin Lisbie missed from the spot again, (following his miss v Crewe earlier in the season) but a minute later Dean Cox fired home after Vincelot flicked on a long throw.
Mooney, who also missed a penalty in the defeat at Sixfields back in October, came off the bench in the 77th minute and added a second goal nine minutes from time, securing the points with a shot from outside the box that dribbled through the keepers hands.
After the game Lloyd James said “In the first half we played some great stuff, and got what we deserved in the second. We had a little break and they played Friday night, we were fresh and came out of the blocks. Coxy popped up with a bit of magic, and Moons came off the bench to finish it”
Russell Slade told BBC London “We’re serving up some great football home and away” Coventry boss Stephen Pressley told BBC Coventry & Warwickshire “Credit to Leyton Orient. They’re a really hard-working side and I hope for Russell Slade they are one of the sides that go up. They are an example to everybody about how to build a football club.”
Wins for Brentford (3-1 v Bristol City) and Wolves (3-0 at Oldham) meant the O’s stayed in second spot on 60 points, two behind Brentford and two clear of Wolves, with a game in hand on both. Saturdays opponents Rotherham won 2-1 at Tranmere with two goals from former O’s striker Alex Revell, to move into fifth spot behind Preston, who drew 0-0 at Bradford.
The O’s have now won four successive league games, since an FA Cup defeat at Yeovil, and a league draw at Wolves, and travel to Rotherham on saturday with the best away record in the football league, with an amazing 10 wins from 14 games. Rotherham are unbeaten in four, their last defeat coming on New Years Day to Coventry.
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