Leyton Orient picked up their first National League victory of the season after they beat Maidstone United 2-1 this evening.

First half goals from Josh Koroma and Marvin Ekpiteta put the O’s in control at the break, before Maidstone’s Shamir Mullings pulled one back with ten minutes remaining to set-up a nervy finish.

Justin Edinburgh made three changes to the side which was held by Barrow at the weekend. Myles Judd came in for his first start at right-back in place of Sam Ling who dropped to the bench, while Josh Koroma replaced James Alabi up front.

Elsewhere, captain Jobi McAnuff was left out as a precaution due to a knock, with James Dayton coming in for his first start of the season on the right.

It was the O’s who started brightly and they opened the scoring in the tenth minute when Koroma notched his first goal of the season, flicking Dean Brill’s goal kick over Will De Havilland before calmly slotting past Lee Worgan.

Orient had Brill to thank eight minutes later though, as the experienced goalkeeper preserved their lead when he pulled off a superb save to tip over Stuart Lewis’ powerful drive.

Dayton was causing problems down the right for the O’s and it was the wide man who was the orchestrator for Orient’s second goal, as he swung over a cross which was met by Ekpiteta, who headed past Worgan to notch his first for the club.

Craig Clay came close to making it three shortly after the break when he collected Dayton’s pass from 25-yards out, before curling an effort just wide of the target.

Ekpiteta then made a vital interception to hook a free-kick out of play, with a Maidstone player lurking at the far post.

Edinburgh made a double change on the hour mark with Dayton and Judd being replaced by Alabi and Ling.

Alex Lawless was then introduced with 17 minutes remaining and shortly after, the O’s were calling for a penalty when Koroma appeared to be brought down inside the box, but referee David Rock booked the Orient youngster for diving instead.

With ten minutes remaining, Maidstone set up a nervy finish when Mullings pulled one back, as he was on hand to head home Seth Nana-Twumasi’s cross from close range.

Koroma almost made it three when he cut in on to his right, but his deflected effort agonisingly clipped the base of the post.

But deep into stoppage time, Orient had goalkeeper Brill to thank when the experienced shot-stopper showed great reflexes to keep out Blair Turgott’s powerful effort from inside the box.

That save proved to be crucial, as Edinburgh’s men managed to see out the remaining minutes to secure their first victory of the season, moving them up to 10th place in the table.

Orient will be hoping to build on tonight’s result when they face last season’s Play Off finalists Boreham Wood at the Breyer Group Stadium on Saturday.

Maidstone: Worgan (GK), Efete, De Haviland, Wynter, Lewis (C), Quigley, Loza (Coker 60), Twumasi, Muldoon (Mullings 68), Philips (Paxman 55). 

Subs (Not used): McLennan, Funnell.

Booked: Loza (38)

 Orient: Brill (GK), Judd (Ling 62), Ekpiteta, Coulson, Widdowson, Brophy (Lawless 72), Lee (C), Clay, Dayton (Alabi 62), Koroma, Bonne.

Subs (Not used): Sargeant, Happe.

Booked: Bonne (38), Koroma (77)

Referee: David Rock

Attendance: 3,037 (630 Orient fans)