Leyton Orinet 2-0 Bristol Rovers
Attendance: 5,777 (1,023)Bristol Rovers were beaten for the first time away from home in almost a calendar year losing 2-0 to table topping Leyton Orient.
A first half Lloyd James penalty and Jay Simpson's strike just before half time secured all three points for Orient as they maintained their 100% start to the season.
Darrell Clarke made one change to his side handing Tyler Lyttle his professional debut replacing the injured Daniel Leadbitter allowing his side to remain in the 3-5-2 shape.
Rovers started positively as a clever flick from Chris Lines opened up the pitch for the Rovers skipper to drive into. Lines powered into the space before feeding the ball through to Ellis Harrison who forced a good save from Alex Cisak low down to the keepers right.
In what was a hard fought half in the middle of the park a long speculative ball into the Rovers penalty area was controlled by Paul McCallum who then hit the ground. Referee Darren Drysdale pointed to the spot claiming McCallum was pushed in the back by Tyler Lyttle.
Lloyd James stepped up and converted the spot kick sending Aaron Chapman the wrong way.
Darrell Clarke's men tried to hit back instantly as Stuart Sinclair was fouled on the Rovers left. Chris Lines aimed his free kick deep onto the Orient penalty area but the ball went out for a goal kick.
Rovers continued to press in search of an equaliser and just before half time Chris Lines was presented with another free kick. This one hung up in the air, Cisak came but didn't claim the ball and Tom Lockyer's shot was deflected over following a last ditch challenge from Connor Essam.
However, just as the referee was about to blow his whistle for half time Orient doubled their lead.
Jay Simpson showed some great agility and balance to turn Tom Parkes inside out before calmly slotting the ball past Chapman.
Darrell Clarke made two changes at half time as Cristian Montano and Jeffrey Monakana replaced Ollie Clarke and Tyler Lyttle changing the sides shape to 4-4-2.
However it was the home side who started the second half brightest.
Within the opening five minutes of the half Orient had to chances both stopped by Chapman, initially Jay Simpson attempted to chip the 6ft 8 keeper before Bradley Pritchard forced a good save down low from the Rovers loan keeper.
Rovers continued to press showing great character and after an extended period of time on the ball were able to create some opportunities on goal. First Lee Brown was denied by a sliding challenge from Frazer Shaw before Ellis Harrison saw his shot stopped by O's keeper Alex Cisak.
In a much more entertaining second half both sides continued to press as Jay Simpson's outside of the boot cross was volleyed well over by Dean Cox.
With 20 minutes remaining Rovers were presented with a free kick on the right hand side of the box following Connor Essam pulling Ellis Harrison's shirt. Lee Brown directed his cross to the far post but neither Tom Lockyer or Tom Parkes could apply the finishing touch.
Darrell Clarke's men were presented with an opportunity to get back into the game with just over two minutes of normal time remaining as Cristian Montano's corner was met by Ellis Harrison who headed the ball into the path of James Clarke who managed to fire over under heavy pressure.
In the dying seconds of the game a powerful run from Cristian Montano created space for a shot and the Colombian tried his luck from range only to see his curled effort gathered easily by Cisak.
Up next for Rovers is back to back home fixtures as initially Darrell Clarke's men entertain Oxford United in front of the Sky TV cameras next Sunday before hosting Accrington Stanley at the Mem the following weekend.
Orient: Cisak; Clohessy, Essam, Baudry (C) (Dunne - 45), Shaw; James, Pritchard, Moore, Cox; McCallum (Turgott - 79), Simpson (Palmer - 70).
Unused Substitutes: Grainger (GK), Kashket, Maguire, Moncur.
Rovers: Chapman; Lyttle (Monakana - 45), J. Clarke, Lockyer, Parkes, Brown; Sinclair, O. Clarke (Montano - 45), Lines (C); Harrison, Easter (Taylor - 61).
Unused Substitutes: Mildenhall (GK), Mansell, Gosling, Bodin.