The BURKS

Leyton Orient marked Paul Brush's first home game as manager with an accomplished 4-2 victory over high-flying Rochdale.

Orient, beaten in their three previous home games under Tommy Taylor's management, could have been a goal down after 50 seconds, but Dave McGhee cleared off their line from Clive Platt.

They were 2-0 up by the break with a goal from Jabo Ibehre after 34 minutes and a 39th-minute strike from Jeff Minton.

Steve Watts escaped to add a third after 51 minutes and Matt Joseph scored a spectacular fourth with a diving header six minutes later. That was only his second goal in 169 appearances for the Londoners.

Rochdale, who had earlier forced Scott Barrett to three spectacular full-stretch saves, pulled a goal back after 77 minutes. The home keeper could only parry a Sean McAuley free-kick and substitute Kevin Townson followed up to score.

Rochdale had a territorial edge from then on and Townson replied a second time with a volley from a fellow sub Dave Flitcroft's cross during added time.

Dale Lineup

13. Matt Gilks
2. Wayne Evans
3. Sean McAuley
10. Matt Doughty (Keiron Durkan 61')
5. Gareth Griffiths
24. Richard Jobson
9. Michael Oliver
18. Gary Jones
14. Tony Ford (David Flitcroft 82')
21. Clive Platt
26. Paul Wheatcroft (Kevin Townson 46')

Scorers: Townson 77', 90'

Manager: Steve Parkin