League One: Leyton Orient 4 Carlisle United 0

Substitute Jamie Ness scored a stunner to ensure Orient stay in the League One automatic promotion places.

Scott Cuthbert powered in a header just before the interval and two minutes into the second half, Ness picked up the pieces from a corner to fire in from all of 30 yards – his first goal for the club since joining on loan from Stoke City in his home debut.

Kevin Lisbie clinched the three points with his first goal since the win against Rotherham in October and another sub, Shaquile Coulthirst, also scored his first for the club in stoppage time to give the O’s their first home win in the league since the end of October - and it was no more than they deserved after a dominant performance at Brisbane Road.

Eldin Jakupovic, making his home debut, was a virtual spectator but Carlisle stopper Greg Fleming made superb saves from Kevin Lisbie and Robbie Simpson to keep the score down.

Mathieu Baudry was twice denied by clearances off the line and Lisbie, who would later make it 11 league goals for the season, had a goal disallowed for a foul.

Russell Slade made one change from the crucial win at Shrewsbury. Simpson replaced loanee Jamar Loza, with the game coming too soon for the injured Romain Vincelot and David Mooney though they could be back for Crewe next weekend.

Marvin Bartley was passed fit after aggravating his back injury in midweek but the midfielder lasted just half an hour before Ness replaced him.

Orient beat the Cumbrians 5-1 away on the first day of the season and it could have been five again this afternoon had it not been for Fleming.

He was called into action as early as the third minute. Dean Cox’s left wing cross was flicked towards the far corner by Lisbie, but Fleming, making his league debut, clawed the ball away with his fingertips.

Soon after Bartley showed excellent skill and composure to play in Simpson in what could be his last game for the O’s, but the goalkeeper made a sprawling save one-on-one.

Bartley blazed over from the edge of the area as Orient’s fast start continued and Baudry must have thought he’d scored when he sent a header from Cox’s corner towards goal – only for Matty Robson to clear off the line.

Lisbie sent a header wide after Moses Odubajo’s searing pace presented him with a crossing opportunity and Baudry was again denied as he tried to bundle the ball home from a corner, this time by Prince Buaben.

When the ball was returned into the penalty area, Lisbie’s header was ruled out for a foul on his marker.

By this time though, Cuthbert had found the back of the net to give the O’s the lead.

And he was left clutching at thin air as Ness let fly, while Cuthbert glanced a header wide and Cox was twice denied by desperate blocks from former French international defender Pascal Chimbonda.

The sense of relief was palpable as Lisbie broke his duck just after the hour mark and Coulthirst danced around Fleming to finish confidently with the last action of the match.

With Brentford and Wolves also winning, it’s a crucial three points for Slade’s men.

Orient: Jakupovic; Cuthbert, Clarke, Baudry, Omozusi; Odubajo, Bartley (Ness 31), James, Cox; Lisbie (Loza 73), Simpson (Coulthirst 84). Substitutes not used: Larkins, Sawyer, Gorman, Lasimant.