Leyton Orient 1 Charlton Athletic 2 ORIENT head for Yeovil on Saturday looking to get their season back on track, writes TREVOR DAVIES. Despite a battling performance against Charlton Athletic on Tuesday night, the O s slipped to their second home defeat in the space of thre

Leyton Orient 1 Charlton Athletic 2

ORIENT head for Yeovil on Saturday looking to get their season back on track, writes TREVOR DAVIES.

Despite a battling performance against Charlton Athletic on Tuesday night, the O's slipped to their second home defeat in the space of three days as, once again, individual errors cost them dear.

And, after starting the season with two excellent away wins, that momentum has ground to a halt.

O's boss Geraint Williams admitted: "We have got to pick ourselves up. Like politics, a week is a long time in football.

"This time last week, we had won our opening two games and everything was great.

"But in the two games since we have let ourselves down as a group. But we will regroup and go to Yeovil looking for all three points."

One injury worry for Williams is that midfielder Sean Thornton limped off near the end with a knee injury and could be doubtful for the weekend.

"It's too early to say if he will be ready for Saturday," admitted Williams.

In a full-bloodied London derby, in front of a crowd of 7,376, O's gave as good as they got against a Charlton team who came into the game with a 100 per cent League One record.

Orient grabbed the lead on 27 minutes when Charlie Daniels played in an excellent free-kick from the right and with the Charlton defence distracted by Ben Chorley, Tamika Mkandawire timed his run perfectly to head home.

But the visitors levelled on 64 minutes when Lloyd Sam found Jonjo Shelvey in the box and he fired home.

The youngster could consider himself fortunate to be on the pitch at the time, as he was involved in a late challenge in the opening seconds and then caught Thornton in the face with his elbow, but referee Phil Crossley deemed it to be only a yellow card offence.

Then, disaster struck when, six minutes from time, Mkandawire ducked under a long ball forward, but it didn't have enough pace to reach keeper Jamie Jones, and Dean Burton ran through to score.

It was another uncharacteristic error from the O's defender, who has been linked with several clubs during the transfer window, which is perhaps taking it's toll.

Orient's display was far superior to Saturday's shocker and Williams said: "It was a better performance, but it's the same result, which is very disappointing.

"A draw would have been fair and it was an entertaining game of football.

"We matched Charlton, but the difference is they have got nine points and we have got three, because individual errors are costing us.

"We have conceded two goals in our two home games and that's too many.

"We are making too many bad errors and getting punished for them."

The O's boss was also believed Shelvey was lucky be on the pitch when he scored.

"It was a very good finish. He found time in our box, but if I was the young man I'd be calming down with my elbows," said Williams.

"I thought he was fortunate to still be on the pitch, but that's up to the referee."

While, as for the luckless Mkandawire, he said: "He scored one very good goal and had a hand in conceding one very poor goal.