Wolverhampton Wanderers took a step closer to the League One title on Monday with a 3-1 win at Leyton Orient.
Richard Stearman and Bakary Sako gave the visitors a 2-1 lead at the break before Dean Cox pulled a goal back for the hosts early in the second half.
However, substitute James Henry made sure of the points for Wolves when he found the net deep in added time.
Read Sports Mole's minute-by-minute report below to find out how all of the action unfolded at Brisbane Road.
Hello there and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of this afternoon's League One clash as Leyton Orient take on Wolverhampton Wanderers at Brisbane Road. We'll have the teams with you shortly...
ORIENT: Jones; Sawyer, Vincelot, Cuthbert, Baudry Cox, Mooney, Odubajo, Clarke, Dagnall, Lundstram
ORIENT SUBS: James, Larkins, Batt, Lasimant, Gorman, Simpson, Ness
Orient have made two changes following their 2-1 defeat at Crawley Town on Friday. Sawyer replaces the injured Omozusi, while Lundstram comes in for James.
WOLVES: Ikeme; Golbourne, Stearman, Batth, Ricketts, Sako, Price, McDonald, Edwards, Jacobs, Dicko
WOLVES SUBS: McCarey, Henry, Clarke, Evans, McAlinden, Ebanks-Landell, Doherty
Wolves boss Kenny Jackett opts to make just the one change after seeing his side beat Rotherham United 6-4 on Friday. Evans drops to the bench for the visitors, with Price taking his place in the starting lineup.
Right, let's get down to business. There's a lot more riding on this game for Wolves than there is for Orient as the visitors have a chance of clinching the League One title today. For that to happen they will have to beat Orient and hope that Brentford fail to beat MK Dons later this afternoon.
Orient start the day knowing that they are already guaranteed a place in the playoffs, but they will be eager to get back to winning ways after losing 2-1 at Crawley three days ago. Russell Slade's side have won just once in their last seven games, and they will be wanting to regain their form before embarking on the playoffs.
Recent form:
ORIENT: DDLDWL
WOLVES: WWDWWW
While Orient have been in shaky form as of late, Wolves have been imperious. Kenny Jackett's side have won their last three on the bounce, which is part of an overall unbeaten run of seven matches. They've been beaten just twice in their last 19 outings.
A shot from earlier today of the Wolves players chekcing out the pitch at Brisbane Road. As you can see, it's a glorious day in East London.
Players strolling out onto the sunbathed pitch. Surface looks in good shape. pic.twitter.com/9np1bnoN3z
— Wolves (@OfficialWolves) April 21, 2014
Not long to go now. The players are lined up, ready to step out onto the pitch. Orient are sure to put up a decent fight this afternoon, but it's difficult to see past a Wolves win. They want to go up as champions, and a victory today will take them a step closer to that.
KICKOFF! The teams are out, the pre-match niceties have been done, and it will be Orient to kick us off. Here we go!
It's been a positive start from the hosts, who are playing with a quick tempo and not allowing too much time or space for Wolves. They create an early opening through Mooney, but he can only volley wide from 20 yards. The visiting fans are making plenty of noise in their corner of the stadium.
Now it's Wolves who are starting to assert themselves a bit more. A neat move down the right sees Jacobs's cross put behind for a corner, which Orient just about manage to clear. McDonald then tries to curl the ball into the far corner from 20 yards, only to see his effort saved by Jones.
It's a good open game at the moment, with both teams attempting to play positive football. However, it's Wolves who continue to edge possession.
Something of a half-chance for Wolves there as they win a free kick out on the left. Sako tries to bend it into the box with pace, but Jones is able to come off his line and collect his cross. Not much in the way of chances during the last few minutes as both teams struggle to keep hold of the ball.
Orient win themselves a corner after decent work by Odubajo down the right wing. However, the resulting kick is wasted as the whistle goes for a foul on Golbourne. Neither team is taking this match by the scruff of the beck right now, though that's not to say that there's a lack of commitment out on the pitch.
GOAL! ORIENT 0-1 WOLVES (STEARMAN)
First blood to Wolves as Stearman pops up from a corner to head the visitors in front! It was Batth who initially nodded down the corner from the right, allowing Stearman to head powerfully into the net from a tight angle. That was well taken by the defender.
That goal is likely to open this game up a bit now. Orient know that they are already guaranteed a playoff place, but they do not want to end the regular season with some negative results hanging over their heads.
Credit to Orient, who have responded well since going behind, but they're lacking that creative touch in the final third. The hosts are seeing enough of the ball, though nothing much is happening for them up front. Still, there's plenty of time for them to get back in this game.
Some end-to-end football in the last few minutes, with both teams threatening. Orient struggled to clear a Wolves corner before eventually embarking on a counter-attack, which came to nothing. Wolves then steamed up the other end of the pitch, but Sako's tame effort was saved by Jones.
CHANCE! That should be 1-1! Orient do well to to win back possession in midfield and get it out to the left. A cross is then whipped into the heart of the Wolves penalty area, only for Baudry to somehow head over from six yards. The hosts then want a penalty, with Stearman allegedly handling the ball. The referee waves away the appeals, though Orient are unlucky not to have been awarded one there.
This is a really encouraging spell for Orient. They've not let their heads drop since going behind. Meanwhile, Wolves are trying to slow the game down following a frantic few minutes.
GOAL! ORIENT 0-2 WOLVES (SAKO)
Wolves double their lead thanks to Sako following a neat exchange with Dicko. It was the latter who headed the ball into his teammate's path before Sako's shot into the ground bounced up over Jones and into the net. That was against the run of play, but the visitors won't mind one bit. They're edging closer to that League One title.
It's a long way back for Orient now, though they won't be giving up anytime soon. They've done plenty to worry Wolves this afternoon, only for their finishing to have let them down. If they could be a bit more clinical in the final third and get the next goal, who knows how this game could end up.
YELLOW CARD! The first booking of the afternoon sees Wolves midfielder Price cautioned for pulling back Cox with Orient looking to break. Orient captain Clarke receives one soon after for a foul on Dicko.
CHANCE! Orient come close to pulling a goal back following some great work from Mooney. The forward showed great control inside the box before creating some space and getting a shot away, but Ikeme was able to get down and gather the ball.
SAVE! Ikeme comes to Wolves' rescue again, tipping over Clarke's header from a corner. Mooney gets his head to the resulting kick, though he can only nod over from close range. Orient are making a real fist of it as we head into the final few minutes of the half.
DISALLOWED GOAL! Orient think that they've pulled one back, but it won't count! Dagnall headed in from a corner after a teammate's initial effort rattled the crossbar, though it was the correct decision to call him offside. There will be two minutes of added time.
HALF TIME: ORIENT 0-2 WOLVES
The half-time whistles goes, bringing an end to an entertaining opening 45 minutes at Brisbane Road. Wolves lead 2-0, but the hosts have certainly played their part.
Wolves took the lead through Stearman on 17 minutes before Sako doubled their advantage on 32 minutes. Orient have certainly had their chances, though some poor finishing has cost them so far. The hosts will also will be feeling aggrieved that they didn't get a penalty following a blatant handball by Stearman when the score was 1-0.
It might look like a long way back for Orient at the moment, but they have shown that they are capable of worrying Wolves. If they get the next goal then you wouldn't bet against the getting another. However, it would surely be game over if Wolves find the net again early in the second half.
Going back to the handball incident, it was baffling how the referee did not award a penalty. He was in a great position, and the ball clearly hit the raised arm of Stearman. Orient boss Russell Slade is sure to have something to say about that after the game if his side ends up losing.
SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! The players are back out for the second half, and it will be Wolves to kick us off. No changes for either side at the break.
DOUBLE SAVE! How have Orient not scored?! Their first chance sees Dagnall's powerful drive on the angle kept out by Ikeme before the Wolves goalkeeper recovers to keep out Mooney's rebound. The hosts yet again prove wasteful in front of goal right at the start of the second period.
GOAL! ORIENT 1-2 WOLVES (COX)
Now they've scored as Cox calmly slots in past Ikeme from the edge of the box! The ball pinged around in the Wolves area before the midfielder found the net after being smartly teed up by Vincelot. Game on!
The hosts are really dominating now, pinning Wolves back with some consistent pressure. They've come flying out of the traps at the start of the second half, and that goal from Cox was exactly what they were looking for.
Wolves are trying to muster a response after seeing their lead halved, but they're finding it tough to break Orient down. The hosts continue to have the momentum with them. All they need now is a second goal.
YELLOW CARD! Orient defender Vincelot is the latest player to go into the book following a cynical trip on Stearman.
Orient are showing some great endeavour here. They just look hungrier that Wolves at the moment. While the hosts are playing with plenty of purpose and intensity, the visitors are struggling to get a hold on the match. Still, Orient will be fully aware how dangerous their opponents are on the break.
CHANCE! Just like that, Wolves nearly make it 3-1. Dicko has a great opportunity to convert a cross from close range, but a slip means that he can only prod the ball wide of goal. Not the easiest of chances, though he could have probably done a bit better.
CHANCE! How many opportunities does Mooney want?! Ikeme fails to catch a cross from the right, allowing Mooney the chance to get shot away from about 10 yards with no one around him. However, the forward snatches at his effort and blazes the ball over the crossbar.
There's just a suggestion that Wolves are starting to get back into this match a bit more now. While they haven't created any openings in the last few minutes, they're passing the ball around a lot better. Meanwhile, Orient make a change as Dagnall is replaced by Batt.
It will be interesting to see how much Orient push up in search of an equaliser as we head into the final 20 minutes of the match. The hosts have nothing to play for after already securing a place in the playoffs, but they will not want to lose their second game in a row after being beaten by Crawley on Friday. A draw against Wolves could give them a real boost heading into the playoffs.
CHANCES! Orient squander multiple opportunities in a bizarre sequence of play! Batt's header was saved by Ikeme before the substitute headed against the crossbar moments later. Baudry then attempted to nod the ball in, but Ikeme was there again to tip it away. Remarkable.
SUBSTITUTIONS: A double change for Wolves here as Henry and Clarke enter the action in place of Jacobs and Dicko.
SUBSTITUTION: Now it's Orient's turn to mix things up, bringing on James for Vincelot.
Just over 12 minutes remaining at Brisbane Road, and Wolves are just about hanging onto their lead. Orient continue to control the tempo of the match, while the visitors sit back and bide their time. McDonald goes into the book for the away side after bringing down Odubajo.
It's all gone a bit scrappy in the last few moments, with Wolves beginning to show a few signs of life. They've not been allowed to play their usual game in the second half, but they look like they're ready to put this game to bed with a third goal.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Changes for both teams here. Orient replace Mooney with Lasiman, while Wolves bring off Sako for Evans.
It looks like time is running out for the hosts to salvage anything from this match. Wolves have been a lot better in the last few minutes, keeping hold of the ball and frustrating their opponents. Orient are going to need some late drama to stop it being two defeats in a row.
It's all Wolves at the moment as we head into injury time. It's not been the best of displays from Kenny Jackett's side, but it looks as if they've done enough to take a step closer to the League One title. They're just passing it around patiently right now, making Orient work for possession.
There will be five minutes of added time. Most of that has come from an earlier knock for Ikeme, resulting in the Wolves goalkeeper needing some treatment.
Orient a trying to pump the ball into the Wolves box whenever they get the chance to do so, but the visitors are standing firm and withstanding any late pressure from the home side.
GOAL! ORIENT 1-3 WOLVES (HENRY)
It's the icing on the cake for Wolves as Henry seals the win with a fine strike from 25 yards that sails into the bottom corner. That was a superb hit from the substitute.
FULL TIME: ORIENT 1-3 WOLVES
The full-time whistle goes, meaning that Wolves are one step nearer the League One title with a 3-1 win over Leyton Orient. They didn't have it all their own way at Brisbane Road, but they managed to come out on top following an entertaining 90 minutes.
That's all from our live coverage of this match, but don't forget that you can keep up to date the rest of today's Football League action right here on Sports Mole. Thanks for your company, and we hope to see you again soon. Goodbye!
Written by
Jack Prescott
Jack Prescott
