Lee Clark's marathon trek after family bereavement proves worthwhile as Rotherham United break duck

Harry Gray, 17, ended the already-relegated Millers’ run of seven consecutive away matches without scoring when his right-footed cross bounced into the far corner in the 24th minute.

Sam Nombe then swept into the bottom corner in the 73rd minute, sealing a deserved victory that leaves Orient three points above the relegation zone.

Leven and head coach Lee Clark – who nearly missed kick-off because of a delayed train following a family bereavement – also gave minutes to teenagers Cohen Lee, James Clarke and Harrison Duncan, who all stepped up to the plate.

Clark headed back from the north east where he had been with family, and needed a taxi to get him to Brisbane Road.

Leven, speaking in place of Clark - who headed straight back to the north east to be with his family after the match - said: “If you look at the average age of the team, there were a lot of positives to take from today.

“I thought Cohen Lee grew again since last week, taking the ball under pressure. Clarkey as well, bringing energy and did well for the second goal.”

Interim manager Clark finally tasted victory at the sixth time of asking and Leven believes their hard work in training is starting to pay off.

He said: “That was the first time I’ve seen the points that we’re trying to put across come to fruition.

“The defensive work to make sure they don’t play centrally, I thought we did that really well.

“Obviously, in transition we were really good and could have scored more.”

Leyton Orient: Dennis, James, Forrester (Casey 59), Happe, Morris, Abdulai (Clare 46), Bakinson, Perkins (Koroma 46), Wellens (Connolly 59), Mitchell (Levitt 58), Ballard. Unused substitutes: Cahill, Craig.

Rotherham: Cann, Hall (Duncan 61), Adegboyega (Rafferty 46), Jules, Baptiste, Gore, Lee (Yearwood 76), Martha (Holmes 84), Nombe, Gray, J Clarke. Unused substitutes: Childs, Biancheri, Hugill.

Referee: J Bell (Yorkshire).