League One roundup: Leyton Orient leapfrog Brentford

By Shane Callaghan, Reporter | 18 January 2014

Chris Dagnall inspires Leyton Orient to a 2-1 win away to Crewe Alexandra, sending Russell Slade's men back to the summit of League One.

Leyton Orient have moved to the top of the League One table with a 2-1 win away to Crewe Alexandra, courtesy of a dream debut from second-half substitute Chris Dagnall.

Dagnall, who arrived at Brisbane Road on a free transfer on Thursday, came off the bench to cancel out Byron Moore's second-half strike on the hour mark.

The 27-year-old was on hand once again eight minutes later to volley into the top corner and send Orient back to the summit of England's third tier at the expense of Brentford, who were held to a 1-1 draw at Walsall.

Clayton Donaldson's 30th-minute strike looked to be enough to earn Mark Warburton's men a half-time lead, only for Craig Westcarr to pounce in the closing stages of the half.

Marcello Trotta missed the best chance to fire the Bees back into the lead as the Fulham loanee blazed over the bar from a good angle as Warburton's men were forced to settle for a point.

Elsewhere, Peterborough United bounced back from a run of four straight defeats to beat Tranmere Rovers 3-0 at London Road.

Club record signing Britt Assombalonga fired the hosts into a 1-0 lead from the penalty spot, before the 21-year-old bagged his brace in the closing stages after Nicholas Ajose had established daylight in the scoreline.

Consequently, Posh remain in the playoff places on goal difference ahead of Walsall, with both sides on 42 points.

Darren Ferguson's men sit two points adrift of fifth-placed Rotherham United, who coasted to a 3-0 win against Shrewsbury Town away from home.

Steve Evans's men managed to effectively secure the result prior to half time, as goals from Tom Hitchcock, Ben Pringle and James Tavernier ensured that the visitors boasted a 3-0 lead after just 21 minutes.

Meanwhile, Preston North End lost ground in their hunt for automatic promotion as the 10-man Lilywhites were held to a 1-1 draw with Coventry City, courtesy of Franck Moussa's last-gasp equaliser.

Kevin Davies had fired the hosts into a second-half lead before being issued a straight red card two minutes from the end.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Grayson's troops looked on course for victory, only for Moussa to pounce in the closing stages to deny the Lancashire outfit a valuable win.

Preston now sit eight points adrift of second-placed Brentford, while the Sky Blues - who began the season with a 10-point deduction - remain eight away from a playoff spot.

At the other end, Stevenage remain rooted to the foot of the table after losing 1-0 at home to fellow strugglers Notts County.

Callum Ball's 42nd-minute effort proved enough for the Magpies to move 16th in the table, three points clear of Bristol City, who recovered from a two-goal deficit to salvage a point in the 2-2 draw with MK Dons at Ashton Gate.

Shaun Williams and Ben Reeves had fired the visitors into a 2-0 half-time lead, but a second-half brace from Sam Baldock proved enough for Steve Cotterill's men to complete the comeback.

Results in full: Bristol City 2-2 MK Dons, Carlisle United 2-4 Colchester United, Crewe Alexandra 1-2 Leyton Orient, Gillingham 2-0 Swindon Town, Peterborough United 3-0 Tranmere Rovers, Port Vale 1-0 Oldham Athletic, Preston North End 1-1 Coventry City, Sheffield United 2-2 Bradford City, Shrewsbury Town 0-3 Rotherham United, Stevenage 0-1 Notts County, Walsall 1-1 Brentford