Johnstone’s Paint Trophy second round: Dagenham & Redbridge 0 Leyton Orient 2

Jay Simpson’s first goals for Leyton Orient fired them into the third round of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy after victory at League Two side Dagenham & Redbridge.

The former Arsenal striker slotted past Daggers goalkeeper Liam O’Brien with five minutes on the clock before thumping home a second on 69 minutes to seal the success.

O’s made four changes from the side which lost 2-1 at home to Swindon Town on Saturday with Shaun Batt, Elliot Omozusi, Bradley Pritchard and Darius Henderson coming in for Dean Cox, Jobi McAnuff, Chris Dagnall and Shane Lowry, while the hosts made five changes from their home defeat to Exeter City as they drafted in Christian Doidge and Ade Yusuff for their first starts since joining the club, and Billy Bingham made his first appearance of the season.

The O’s started at an electric pace and found themselves 1-0 up after just five minutes when Batt, playing against his brother Damian, threaded a ball through the home defence and Simpson fired home past an onrushing O’Brien.

Buoyed by the early goal, It could have been two just three minutes later when Simpson tried his luck from 30 yards and the effort rattled the post.

Orient restricted the hosts to very little going forward, but Billy Bingham forced Gary Woods to come out and push behind for a corner.

Ashley Chambers then saw a dipping 25 yard effort just creep over the net, while up the other end the lively Simpson paced away from Daggers left back Matt Partridge and his cut back found Henderson and his curling header just crept wide of the post.

Former Dagger Romain Vincelot was enjoying a good return and his fierce curling cross forced O’Brien to divert it behind for a corner.

The O’s were the dominant side and a Simpson header struck the post following a great ball in from Omozusi.

Daggers did mount a late push in the half as another deep free-kick this time from Chambers found Joss Labadie and the midfielder saw his shot blocked behind for a corner.

And from the resulting set piece Scott Doe flicked an effort goalwards but O’s skipper Nathan Clarke was there to clear off the line.

Simpson headed another effort over as the half drew to a close with the visitors in front.

The second half was certainly less eventful, but the hosts did have some chances to get back into the game.

And the O’s were almost on the end of another swift counter as Ade Yusuff picked the ball up inside his own half and had the beating of Clarke but with just Woods to beat, he blazed over.

Chances were few and far between as Shane Lowry, a first half substitute for the injured Mathieu Baudry, saw a 25 yard free-kick dip just over the bar.

Dean Cox was brought on by O’s caretaker boss Kevin Nugent and he made an instant impact as his cross was only cleared straight to Simpson and with time in the box the striker lashed home his and Orient’s second of the game to effectively seal the win.

Simpson was seemingly keen on securing the match ball, but saw two attempts blocked, while Labadie drilled an effort wide for the hosts as the game petered out in the closing stages.

Dagenham & Redbridge: O’Brien, Partridge, Doe, Saah, Batt, Ogogo (Raymond 88), Labadie, Bingham (Porter 76), Chambers, Doidge, Yusuff (Goldberg 67).

Unused substitutes: Cousins, Gayle.

Leyton Orient: Woods, Cuthbert, Baudry (Lowry 24), Clarke, Omozusi, Bartley, Vincelot, Pritchard (Lee 79), Batt (Cox 68), Henderson, Simpson.

Unused substitutes: Grainger, Kashket.

Attendance: 2,318 (982 Leyton Orient fans)