Hartlepool United 0 Leyton Orient 1 GERAINT WILLIAMS maintained his unbeaten run as Orient manager after a vital 1-0 win at Hartlepool United on Saturday. The east Londoners have now picked up seven from a possible nine since the Welshman took charge, af

Hartlepool United 0

Leyton Orient 1

GERAINT WILLIAMS maintained his unbeaten run as Orient manager after a vital 1-0 win at Hartlepool United on Saturday.

The east Londoners have now picked up seven from a possible nine since the Welshman took charge, after Tamika Mkandawire scored the winner with 10 minutes left at Victoria Park.

Orient, because of other results, still find themselves one place above the drop zone, but Saturday's victory also draws the likes of Northampton, Yeovil and Hartlepool themselves into the relegation dogfight.

Both teams began nervously and the first opportunity arrived in the 10th minute, when Pools Andy Monkhouse ran at Jordan Spence down the left before sending a tame effort wide.

Orient's on-loan striker Scott McGleish repeated the trick moments later, before Jamie Jones was called into action for the first time after tipping Lewis Guy's dipping volley over the crossbar.

Neither side were grabbing the game by the scruff of the neck as few opportunities arose, although Daniel Nardiello glanced Gary Liddle's cross just wide moments before the interval.

The O's started the second period brightly and had the first chance of the half, when Jason Demetriou had a 20-yard drive deflected wide after the ball dropped to the midfielder following a Jimmy Smith free kick.

Fifteen minutes in and the home side produced the best chance of the game as Liam Henderson ran in behind Charlie Daniels to reach an intelligent pass by Guy.

The on-loan Watford forward cut the ball back to Anthony Sweeney, whose shot needed to be diverted over by Jones.

Thornton then twice went close, as Arran Lee-Barrett tipped a shot round the post, before on 66 minutes he headed on to the woodwork from a Smith cross.

Orient were in control of the match and again went close as Demetriou's deflected shot had Lee-Barrett struggling.

The visitors eventually took the lead when the referee awarded Orient a free-kick midway in the Hartlepool half, after Simon Church was brought down.

Daniels' accurate delivery was met by the head of McGleish and although Lee-Barrett kept his effort out, Mkandawire was on hand to bundle home and seal the three points for the O's and their first back-to-back wins since November.

"This isn't an easy place to come to, so it's a big victory for us," smiled Williams.

"We were very solid at the back again. We had to make one change. Jordan slipped across and Alton came in and I thought they were magnificent. We have come away with the win so we are delighted.