Moncur makes mark as Leyton Orient defeat Dons

With just four points from a possible 15 in January, O’s had seen their lead at the top of the table cut to just two points by Stevenage.

But they moved four points clear once again as their rivals were held to a goalless draw at Sutton United, albeit having two games in hand. 

Darren Pratley and Jamie McCart missed out with slight knocks, with Paul Smyth also absent due to a minor injury, as Ed Turns, Jayden Sweeney and Idris El Mizouni all came into the starting line-up.

And the hosts had a great chance on three minutes as Kieran Sadlier played a corner to Moncur on the edge of the box and his volley forced Nikola Tzanev into a save.

Both sides had to clear dangerous balls played into their box, before O’s went close again on 19 minutes as Sadlier controlled a pass from Moncur and forced Tzanev to palm his shot behind.

El Mizouni’s far-post effort from a Sadlier cross was deflected behind moments later as the home side continued to build pressure.

But Ethan Chislett then sidefooted wide for Dons after a long ball was played into the box on 24 minutes and the visitors were unable to capitalise on a free-kick, after Sweeney was given a warning by the referee.

Sweeney was booked a few minutes later and Lee Brown sent a free-kick wide for Dons, before Charlie Kelman failed to connect with Sadlier’s pass.

Richie Wellens had his name taken by the referee six minutes before the break, with the visitors countering after Moncur went down in a tackle from another short corner routine and Ali Al-Hamadi forcing Lawrence Vigouroux into action at the other end.

But O’s had a great chance before the break as Theo Archibald played in Jordan Lyden, whose pass across the face of goal could not find a teammate.

The home side started the second half on the front foot with Moncur and El Mizouni combining well, before Sweeney’s shot was blocked and Archibald saw a tame effort claimed by Tzanev.

Wellens made a double change on 55 minutes as Sweeney and Lyden made way for Tom James and Craig Clay, but O’s then had a let-off as Chislett skied a great chance when left one-on-one with Vigouroux.

Al-Hamadi was similarly off-target seconds later with a first-time effort, before O’s rallied and Archibald was sent into the advertising hoardings by Davison’s nudge.

And the deadlock was broken on 64 minutes as Moncur kept the ball alive in the box long enough before poking through a crowd of bodies and into the corner of the net.

Archibald and Kelman were replaced by Ruel Sotiriou and Aaron Drinan in another double substitution by Wellens midway throufh the half, with Adam Thompson coming on for the injured Rob Hunt moments later.

El Mizouni fired harmlessly over from distance with 16 minutes remaining, before Sotiriou beat his man on the left and won a corner.

Sadlier saw his delivery evade Turns at the far post, before picking up a yellow card moments later for firing goalwards after the whistle had gone.

And O’s had Thompson to thank for a timely block which denied Diallang Jaiyesimi with seven minutes left as the visitors pushed in search of a late equaliser.

The hosts went close to a second as Tzanev tipped a Sotiriou shot past the post after six minutes of injury time were signalled, while Josh Davison sent a rising effort over at the other end as O’s held on.

Leyton Orient: Vigouroux, Archibald (Sotiriou 67), Moncur, El Mizouni, Lyden (Clay 55), Beckles, Kelman (Drinan 67), Sweeney (James 55), Hunt (Thopmson 68), Sadlier, Turns. Unused subs: Byrne, Ogie.