Leyton Orient suffered a second half collapse that resulted in a heavy 0-4 defeat at the hands of league leaders Northampton Town.

The O’s matched the Cobblers in an even first half and the scoreline remained at 0-0 at the break. However, the visitors broke the deadlock ten minutes in to the second half through Rod McDonald and Orient collapsed from there. Ricky Holmes then produced a spectacular strike of his own to double Northampton’s lead and James Collins wrapped up a comprehensive win with two goals in the latter stages of the game.

Kevin Nolan named the same starting line-up that performed well at Fratton Park a week earlier. Nigel Atangana returned to the squad.

Northampton settled into the game quicker than the O’s and the away side fashioned the first opportunity of the match. Ricky Holmes’ delivery from the right flank made it all the way to the far post where James Collins was on hand to fire towards goal but the ball ended up in the side netting.

Orient’s first chance came from a Sammy Moore cross that was helped on towards the top corner by Kevin Nolan, but the effort lacked power and was comfortably caught by Cobblers’ stopper Adam Smith.

The O’s player-manager was involved in attacking areas and soon after he laid the ball off to Jobi McAnuff who fired a low shot first-time but Smith was equal to the attempt.

At the other end Alex Cisak’s clearance fell straight to Ricky Holmes but in his haste to catch the Orient keeper out he fired his shot well wide of the mark.

Despite making a slow start. the hosts had grown into the game and they produced an impressive fluid move which led to a flurry of opportunities. Calaum Jahraldo-Martin did well to spread the ball out to Frazer Shaw on the left flank and his low delivery eventually came to Kevin Nolan who saw his shot blocked. The away defence had to stay alert as Moore was quick to try his luck but he too found his shot repelled. The former AFC Wimbledon man then drilled the ball towards goal again and the ball skimmed off of Jay Simpson’s head and out of play before the O’s striker could direct it.

Rod McDonald had a chance to put Northampton in front just before the break but he could not keep his header down.

The stalemate remained as the referee brought the first half to a close.

 

 

Northampton made a brighter start to the second period and they were rewarded with a goal after ten minutes. Nicky Hunt attempted to head a cross out of the Orient box but the ball fell to Zander Diamond who saw his shot get blocked by Frazer Shaw. The bounced up and Northampton defender Rod McDonald pulled off an overhead kick which beat Alex Cisak.

Orient’s grasp on the game was already slipping and the Cobblers went further ahead shortly after the hour. Shaw’s defensive header was collected by Ricky Holmes on the run and he took a touch before firing a superb volley which dipped over Cisak and into the Orient net.

In response to falling further behind Armand Gnanduillet came off the bench replacing Jahraldo-Martin and the substitute was soon involved in the action. McAnuff fed the ball into the box for Gnanduillet and he fired a shot across goal, Kevin Nolan slid in to try and direct the ball into the net but he couldn’t reach it.

Nolan’s men were trying to to get a foothold in the game and Jay Simpson was next to come close with a curling shot on the turn inside the box but the ball went just wide of the post.

Chris Wilder’s side had been in great form going into the game and the league leaders were intent on adding to their tally. First James Collins punished the O’s for failing to deal with a corner by turning the ball home from close range. He then completed his brace in stoppage time, compounding Orient’s miserable afternoon. Lawson D’Ath was allowed to carry the ball forward unchallenged on a counter attack before slipping the ball to Collins. He took one touch and drilled the ball past Shaw and Cisak, sealing a 4-0 win.