Mal Benning’s own goal hands victory to Orient

Posted Wednesday, February 12, 2020 by PA

Mal Benning’s late own goal enabled Leyton Orient to make it back-back Sky Bet League Two victories after a 2-1 win over Mansfield.

James Dayton had given the hosts the lead on the stroke of half-time before Kelland Watts brought the Stags level only for Benning to turn the ball into his own net to settle it.

In an opening half that lacked much in the way of quality, Dayton finally broke the deadlock.

It was the final minute of the opening period when he controlled a pass from Craig Clay and angled his shot under the body of Stags keeper Bobby Olejnik stationed at the near post.

The home side had dominated possession without causing many problems for their opponents apart from a shot by central defender Dan Happe that crashed against an upright and rebounded to safety.

The visitors levelled on the hour when Watts ran onto a corner from Benning to send a powerful header into the net.

But Orient continued to dominate possession and were rewarded after 74 minutes.

Substitute Jordan Maguire-Drew sent in a teasing cross from the left and Benning, under pressure from Lee Angol, bundled the ball into his own net.