Bristol Rovers went down 2-1 to Leyton Orient in their opening match of the 2009/10 League One at the Memorial Stadium this afternoon.

Leyton Orient opened the scoring with a goal from JJ Melligan, but a strike from Rickie Lambert just before half time saw the two sides go in level at the break.

A second half goal from Jimmy Smith was enough to seal all three points for The O's.

Fraser Forster made his League debut for Rovers after being given the nod ahead of Steve Phillips in goal. New signings Carl Regan and Dominic Blizzard also made their League debuts for the Gas, though Blizzard's came from the bench as he continues to gain match fitness.

Jo Kuffour partnered Rickie Lambert upfront, while Steve Elliott missed the game with a thigh strain.

Both teams came out of the blocks well, eager to get the season off to a good start. Rickie Lambert started brightly for Rovers firing over the bar with a right-footed volley.

Rovers passed the ball around well, but Leyton Orient put pressure on the home side from the off.

Jo Kuffour received Rovers' first booking of the season for a tackle on JJ Melligan.

Fraser Forster made his first real save of the day after 15 minutes, and shortly after that he showed why Paul Trollope had been so keen to sign him on loan.

The big keeper dived to save a low free kick from Sean Thorton, before getting up to smother Ryan Jarvis' attempt at the rebound.

Left-back Regan but a cross into the box that found Lambert, who headed the ball wide of the left hand upright.

Lambert continued to make a nuisance of himself and could have got his first goal of the campaign after half an hour when a curling free kick had to be smothered by O's keeper Jamie Jones.

But it was Orient who opened the scoring when JJ Melligan converted an easy chance after good work down the left from Scott McGleish.

Minutes later Lambert put Rovers back on equal footing going into the break.

Aaron Lescott hit a shot straight at Jo Kuffour, which deflected into the path of Lambert who smashed home with his right foot.

It was almost the perfect start to the second half when Jo Kuffour missed a close range effort. A ball from Lambert picked out Chris Lines in the box, who fed the ball through to Kuffour, who then let fly with a weak shot straight at the keeper.

Orient scored the winning goal shortly before the 70 minute mark when a long range effort from Smith flew over the head of Forster and into the back of the net.

Trollope made two changes shortly after bringing on Darryl Duffy and Dominic Blizzard in place of Jeff Hughes and Chris Lines, but it was not enough to turn the game around for Rovers.

Rovers were frustrated to have a couple of handball appeals turned down as they continued to look for the equaliser.

A brilliant tackle from Stuart Campbell set David Pipe off down the right flank. Pipe crossed the ball into Lambert, whose attempt at a shot was blocked by two Orient players.

Danny Coles marked his return to first team football with a man of the match award, but it was a disappointing afternoon for Rovers in front of goal.

Bristol Rovers: Forster; Regan, Anthony, Coles, Lescott; Pipe, Lines (Blizzard 71), Campbell, Hughes (Duffy 71); Lambert, Kuffour.

Subs: Phillips, Reece, Hunt, Williams, Rigg.

Leyton Orient: Jones; Purches, Mkandawire, Chorley, Daniels; Melligan, Smith (Scowcroft 66), Thornton, Demetriou; Jarvis, McGleish.

Subs: Morris, Cave-Brown, Pires, Patulea, Townsend.