Leyton Orient 3 - 1 Port Vale: Orient overcome 10-man Vale

Posted Sunday, March 29, 2015 by PA

Leyton Orient edged closer to moving out of the Sky Bet League One relegation zone with a 3-1 success over 10-man Port Vale.

Vale had led at half-time through Chris Birchall, but goalkeper Chris Neal's red card seven minutes into the second half proved their undoing as Orient moved one point away from safety.

O's keeper Alex Cisak made a brilliant save to deny Louis Dodds early on but there was nothing he could do 28 minutes in when Birchall slotted beyond him.

Neal had made a fine save to deny David Mooney just before the break, while Dean Cox also hit the post, but the Vale keeper's afternoon was over early in the second period when he hauled down Chris Dagnall.

Mooney levelled from the spot against substitute stopper Sam Johnson, who was quickly picking the ball out of his net again when defender Neill Collins sliced into his own net.

Orient were awarded another penalty when Johnson upended Mooney but the substitute responded by stopping the same player from the spot-kick.

However, six minutes from time the hosts wrapped up victory, with Cox's brilliant strike from distance giving Johnson no chance.