Leyton Orient have slumped to their first home defeat of the season with 1-0 loss to Preston North End at the Matchroom Stadium in League One.

Joe Garner's 33rd-minute volley proved the difference between the sides, as the Londoners slip to second place in England's third tier following Wolverhampton Wanderers's victory at Notts County.

The visitors started the brighter of the two teams and were unfortunate not to take the lead in the early stages, as Paul Gallagher - who bagged a hat-trick in the 6-0 thrashing of Barnet last weekend - sent a free kick narrowly wide.

Gallagher went close again with a dipping volley, before Lilywhites boss Simon Grayson watched on as the pressure paid dividends.

Garner, starting in the absence of the suspended Stuart Beavon, found himself on the end of a Keith Keane cross, before expertly volleying past Orient goalkeeper Jamie Jones to give his team the lead shortly after the half-hour mark.

Russell Slade had to wait 45 minutes to watch his team register a shot on goal, as Dean Cox was the recipient but his effort flew into row-z.

Gallagher nearly doubled the advantage shortly after half time, spotting Jones off his line before launching an audacious 35-yard lob but the effort dropped just over the crossbar.

The O's failed to find the fluency which has seen them score in each of their 16 league fixtures this season and Grayson's men inflicted a first home defeat on the East London outfit.