Louis Dennis marked his return to action with a goal but was unable to prevent defeat for Leyton Orient as Cambridge United came from behind to secure a 2-1 win in the Central League Cup.

Dennis put the O’s in front just before the hour but the U’s swiftly levelled before going ahead on 72 minutes.

Dean Brill took charge of the side that also featured Sam Sargeant, Myles Judd, Joe Widdowson and Hector Kyprianou.

Chances were few and far between in an evenly-contested first half, with neither goalkeeper really being forced into any work.

Bredon Shabani came the closest to breaking the deadlock when his powerful effort went over the crossbar.

Dennis then put Orient in front when he beat two Cambridge defenders and tucked the ball into the corner.

Cambridge fought back instantly though and made it 1-1 when a curling free-kick went past Sargeant and found the top corner.

The hosts completed a quick turnaround shortly after as they won possession deep in Orient’s half and their striker placed in after a couple of quick passes inside the penalty area.

Orient were unable to salvage an equaliser in what time remained as Cambridge held on to win 2-1.

Orient team: Sargeant, Judd, Widdowson, Francois-Vernal, Sweeney, Kyprianou, Shabani (Papadopoulos 73), Trialist A (Young 73), Dennis (Lovatt 67), Ifeyani, Dunbar-Bonnie

Subs not used: Solomon, Marfo