Leyton Orient 1 Cheltenham 4

Last updated : 30 August 2003 By Footymad Previewer

The destiny of the three points was settled in a bizarre 14-minute spell before the half-time interval which saw the visitors score three times in nine minutes before Orient goalkeeper Glenn Morris was dismissed to compound an afternoon of abject misery for O's manager Paul Brush.

Much-travelled striker Bob Taylor grabbed two typical opportunist goals to kill off the game, earning a tribute from boss Bobby Gould who said: "We had a special patch during the first half and Bob Taylor on the pitch, who showed how to take a goal and help the youngsters.

"Not only has he contributed a lot on the pitch, he is a tremendous influence off the field. For 20 minutes I would have to admit that's the best we've played this season." The home side should have gone ahead within five minutes of the start when Gary Alexander screwed his shot wide from close range.

However the predatory Taylor posted a warning of what was to follow hitting the crossbar with a hastily taken free-kick from 20 yards which left Morris beaten.

With the industrious Mark Yates and creative Grant McCann beginning to state an imposing presence in midfield, it was little surprise when Cheltenham took the lead on 23 minutes.

Kayode Odejayi was left unmarked to loop the ball over the advancing Morris after he collected a through pass, but within five minutes Wayne Purser headed an equaliser, but the O's joy was short lived.

A shot from Darren Jones on 31 minutes struck Alexander and sent the ball past a flat-footed Morris and two minutes later the hapless keeper was again picking the ball out of the net.

Matthew Brazier lost the ball on the halfway line and McCann weaved a pass down the middle for the unmarked Taylor to drill home with ease.

Totally destroyed, Orient conceded a fourth goal on 40 minutes when the elusive Odejayi worked his way into the box and screwed the ball back to Tayler who netted from close range.

The final ignominy for the home side came with the dismissal of Morris shortly before the interval when he raced from goal to upend Odejayi leaving the referee no option but to flourish the red card.

The second half was academic although Orient showed determined effort and created the two best chances of the half though both were wasted. With the chants of the crowd for the removal of manager Brush, Cheltenham maintained their firm grip on precedings.

Manager Brush said: "Our defending after the first 20 minutes until half-time was embarrassing. Everyone's had a bad day. I can understand the fans' disappointment, I picked the team and when things go wrong I have to take responsibility."