Late goals at Leyton Orient a painful setback for Exeter City

Exeter City spurned a tremendous opportunity to open up a cushion on the bottom four in Sky Bet League One after conceding twice in the last 15 minutes at Leyton Orient.

The Grecians, protecting a decent run of recent form, survived an early scare when the referee turned down strong penalty appeals for a handball against Ed Turns, and home frustration doubled on 37 minutes, as City were awarded a spot-kick of their own following a foul on Reece Cole.

Jayden Wareham calmly slotted City in front and Orient fans were howling in disapproval on the stroke of half-time, as the officials waved away another passionate penalty appeal after an apparent tug from Jack Fitzwater.

The Grecians took their reprieve into a solid second-half showing and Cole came close to sealing the points on 75 minutes, heading against the post after his initial effort had been saved.

From nowhere, City pressed the self-destruct button, Orient pouncing on careless defending to level through Idris El Mizouni and Tyreeq Bakinson completed the turnaround with a powerful volley.