Leyton Orient Russell Slade thinks his side should have managed the game better as they were denied a point at Rotherham by a late Alex Revell winner.

After trailing for much of the game at the New York Stadium, the visitors thought they could grab all three points after Moses Odubajo’s equaliser 15 minutes from time.

But they were hit by the ultimate sucker punch with virtually the last kick of the game.

“We didn’t manage the game well enough in the final few seconds and you’ve got to do that to win promotions,” Slade said.

“That was the poorest part of the whole game. From trying to play very quickly we gave the ball away and it’s in the back of the net.

“It’s cost us dearly.”

Slade thought the heartbreaking manner of the defeat was harsh on his team, who had battled back doggedly after a shaky opening half an hour.

A game of few chances in difficult weather conditions was always likely to be settled by fine margins.

And debutant goalkeeper Ben Alnwick’s poor kick eventually led to Revell’s moment in the spotlight, with the former Orient striker being given far too much space on the edge of the penalty area to find the bottom corner.

Slade said: “It was a difficult game for both teams. The blustery wind wasn’t conducive to good football but we tried.

“We were working our way in there and there weren’t too many openings for either side.” A physical game saw Orient players subjected to some robust challenges from the Millers.

Rotherham defender Claude Davis was perhaps lucky to escape with only a yellow after a crunching tackle on Odubajo, which led to an angry confrontation between the two benches.

Davis was substituted seven minutes later.

The manager said: “Rotherham are a physical, direct side.

“There were one or two knocks and bruises but we’re strong enough and we need to bounce back against Peterborough.

“We’re 10 yards away from the tackle on Moses and it was like a karate kick.”

On the antics of his opposite number Steve Evans, Slade simply added: “That’s football.”

He confirmed striker Kevin Lisbie should be fit to face Peterborough after receiving an injection for a groin injury.