Leyton Orient head coach Ian Hendon described their 3-2 defeat at struggling Crawley Town this afternoon as the toughest loss of his tenure.

The O's appeared to be in control after an early goal from Jay Simpson. But Orient capitulated during the end of the first half as they conceded three times and had Alan Dunne dismissed for giving away a penalty.

Hendon, whose side have dropped down to seventh in League Two, said: "It's most definitely the toughest loss because of the way we started the game. We went in front and should have extended that lead.

"You've answered your own question there. We shouldn't be trying to get a way back into that game."

He added: "We were in control but a couple of the goals we conceded were quite sloppy the way they've gone in. Alex Cisak has got to do better for the second one. 

"They didn't have many chances but teams do have chances and we have do deal with it better."

Hendon believes video footage showed Rhys Murphy dived in the attack which resulted in a penalty and Dunne's red card. 

There was a dispute between the two teams in the tunnel after the match which involved Murphy and some Orient staff arguing over the incident.

Hendon said: "I think you've just heard it. There was a bit of a dispute over the penalty decision.

"As I've said it looked like the lad went down very easily before Dunne's even got near him. We've ended up conceding a goal from it and we've lost our player as well."