Vanarama National League: Leyton Orient 4 Guiseley 1

TWO controversial penalties late in the first half were the turning point as Leyton Orient came from a goal down before going on to complete a big victory over managerless Guiseley.

The O’s thus moved up to second in the Vanarama National League but it was harsh on a Guiseley side who had scored their first away goal of the season, at the fourth attempt, when Kayode Odejayi slotted them into a 36th-minute lead.

The Lions were under the temporary guidance of club captain Danny Lowe and coach-physio Martin Stringfellow.

After the game, Lowe said: “Obviously it’s been a really tough week. Adam (Lockwood) and Dave (Penney) have gone, and the lads are gutted about that, but we understand - that’s football.

“Martin and I were asked to take training and take charge for this game, and I’d like to say that the lads deserve full credit for their attitude and professionalism this week.

“It would have been difficult enough coming here with a manager.

“I don’t want to be over critical but the ref has absolutely killed us with those two penalties. Ash (Palmer) had his arm by his side, and the second one he’s not even given.

“He had his back to incident and the lino (assistant referee) has given it so two pens in quick succession made it almost impossible to come back from.

"I wasn’t a manager, I’m not a manager, I’m just captain of the club and wanted to do the best for my club, and my job now is to go back to being a player and report for training.

“From what I understand, the new manager is not far away.”

Orient’s Macauley Bonne netted both spot-kicks, the first when Palmer was adjudged to have handled a ball into the area in the 42nd minute.

The second was given for an alleged foul by Marcus Williams on David Mooney in first-half stoppage-time.

The O’s brought new signing Matt Harrold off the bench in the second half, and just over two minutes later he scored his first goal for the club, heading home a 65th-minute cross.

Bonne wrapped up the scoring when he bagged his hat-trick eight minutes from time.

Guiseley chairman James Ferguson said: “It's difficult bringing an end to anyone’s job but things weren’t going right on the pitch and results weren’t coming.

“We didn’t know why because we’d strengthened the squad, and the budget had been increased significantly from the previous season.

"We need to replace the management team quickly but at the same time we have to ensure that we appoint the right calibre of manager.

“We’ve had a lot of applications, as you would imagine, so we sat down and drew up a shortlist and I’m delighted to say that we’re 95 percent there with our first choice and we hope to be able to make an announcement tomorrow [Monday].”