LEYTON ORIENT 2, ALDERSHOT TN 3

ADAM McDonnell demonstrated exactly why Gary Waddock has signed him on an 18-month contract from Ipswich. On his second Shots debut, the midfielder scored the winning goal in a thrilling National League encounter in East London.

After an impressive four-month loan spell earlier in the season, the Irishman rejoined Aldershot on a permanent deal just 36 hours before kick-off at Brisbane Road.

And he ended the afternoon trying to claim a second goal after his free-kick bounced down off the crossbar and onto the goal-line, allowing Will Evans to put the visitors ahead two minutes into the second half.

Yet it had been an abject start for Aldershot who conceded their fastest-ever goal after just 18 seconds and struggled to match Orient’s attacking pace in the opening stages, before two goals either side of half-time turned the game in the Shots’ favour.

Assistant manager James Rowe was delighted with his side’s response. “It’s a proud day to be part of the club and I think we deserved the win… just! The players showed great strength to stick to our philosophy and style of play, and we won’t change that, home or away. We entertained the big crowd today. I really enjoyed the game and it’s even sweeter with the victory.

“We’re rising, and I can feel it in the changing-room, but we mustn’t get carried away. We must enjoy it, though, and I hope the supporters are, because they were magnificent today as well.”

Straight from kick-off, Jobi McAnuff played in Macauley Bonne in the left channel and he slid a shot underneath the advancing Lewis Ward.

Orient were simply too lithe and lively early on. McAnuff himself had two opportunist efforts, one blocked by Evans and the second saved by Ward.

The goalkeeper again excelled in denying Dan Holman with a fine fingertip save, while Bonne sliced a shot wide from seven yards as Orient threatened to snatch a potentially decisive second goal.

Aldershot, though, equalised with their first shot on target, on 44 minutes as midfielder James Rowe broke across halfway. Shamir Fenelon’s pace was too much for the back-tracking George Elokobi and Rowe’s pass was perfect for Fenelon to shoot past Dean Brill from 16 yards.

Just over a minute after the break, Aldershot had the lead. John McQuoid, last week’s other signing, was barged over and, from 25 yards, McDonnell’s whipped free-kick struck the woodwork and centre-back Evans muscled his way in to nod the rebound across the line.

Orient, hovering dangerously close to the drop-zone, came back fighting and equalised just five minutes later. Holman, a former Shot, won a corner and Elokobi hooked a flying volley into the net from close range.

The game could have gone either way at that stage, but it was Aldershot who got the decisive goal in the 76th minute. Scott Rendell found Lewis Kinsella on the left and the full-back’s touch invited McDonnell to evade one challenge and fire a low 17-yard drive through Brill’s flimsy grasp.

Holman and Elokobi had scrambled efforts in one goalmouth melee, but Orient increasing looked a spent force until Holman blazed over the bar in the final seconds.

Even though well below their best, Aldershot earned what Rendell called ‘a special victory’.

Leyton Orient: Brill; Caprice, Coulson, Happe, Elokobi (Reynolds 83); Dayton (Koroma 43), Lawless (Harrold 80), Clay, McAnuff; Holman, Bonne. Subs (not used): Sargeant, Adams. Booked: Koroma.

Aldershot: Ward; Alexander, Evans, Fowler, Kinsella; Oyeleke, McDonnell; Fenelon (McClure 85), Rowe (Gallagher 85), McQuoid (Kabamba 64); Rendell. Subs (not used): Cole, Taylor.

Referee: Peter Wright.

Attendance: 5,728 (1204 away).

• Aldershot have no league fixture this Saturday, with original opponents Gateshead booked for an FA Trophy third-round tie at Maidstone United. The Shots are next in action on Saturday, February 10 when they travel to Dagenham & Redbridge.

• Leyton Orient picked up three valuable points with a 2-1 victory away to FC Halifax on Tuesday. Gateshead drew 0-0 at home to Wrexham.