Chesterfield 0 Leyton Orient 1

A classy second half chip scored Leyton Orient’s deciding goal during their all-important visit to Chesterfield on Saturday, writes Jasper Wenban-Smith.

The breakthrough came after 53 minutes when Shane Tudor coolly lofted the ball over Chesterfield’s keeper from ten yards to secure the only goal in a tense game, which could easily have gone either way.

Both sides desperately needed the points but despite creating most of the chances, Chesterfield were unable to convert their opportunities into goals.

The result will be a hard one to swallow for Chesterfield, who must be wondering what they have to do to avoid relegation.

Orient’s keeper Glyn Garner can take much of the credit for his team’s success, repeatedly denying a goal to the Chesterfield team whose finishing let them down.

Chesterfield’s first effort came after just four minutes, as Orient tried to adjust to Chesterfields 3-5-2 formation. But Jamie Jackson’s low drive lacked the power to challenge Garner and he managed to scramble the ball away.

After Orient’s goal in the second half, Chesterfield’s increasing frustration led to several wasted opportunities in the scoring third of the field.

Orient’s win looked safe until the last ten minutes, when Chesterfield had two clear chances to salvage a point. Jackson managed to get the ball past Garner, only to see his floated shot cleared off the line by defender John Mackie. Then, just minutes from full time, a remarkable save from Orient’s keeper was all that stopped Chesterfield from drawing even.

The result stretches Orient’s unbeaten run to five matches and puts them in a strong position to ensure their survival in the division next season.

Manager Martin Ling said: “I think this is probably the biggest result so far this season – particularly when we look at the other results with the other teams below us all getting beat.

But he added: “If we don’t continue to put in the performances that we have in the last five games then we won’t see the job through.”