AN experienced Watford reserve side went down to a bizarre late strike to lose 2-1 to Leyton Orient in the East end this afternoon (Wednesday).

The Golden Boys went in front after only two minutes thanks to new signing Lionel Ainsworth.

However they were pinned back before the break and a late goal from Jack Page in the 89th minute won it for the O's.

A Mart Poom clearance fell at his feet and despite the best efforts of the Estonian to stop the ball, it was all in vain as it trickled over the line.

Then to add further drama to the proceedings, striker Steve Kabba missed a penalty after being taken down in the box. Kabba got to his feet to the take the kick himself but his decent strike was turned away by Michael Doyle for a corner kick. 

Ainsworth's early goal occurred after the tricky wing man took advantage of a slip from Brandon Martin near the half way line, he calmly took the ball round 'keeper Doyle and slotted the ball into the back of the net.

With Poom, Adrian Mariappa, Malky Mackay, Nathan Ellington and Kabba all starting - this marked the strongest second string side from the Hornets so far this season.

The influx of experience and talent certainly helped as the 'Orns were the stronger throughout the opening 45 but they were unable to build on Ainsworth's early strike.

The early goal marked a lively start to the game in a first half which Watford really dominated. However it was the home side who had the first attack and broke away leaving the Hornets exposed at the back.

John-Joe O'Toole lost the ball in midfield and Martin charged up field, he slotted the ball through to Raphael Sylvester but his shot was deflected for a corner.

Unfortunately the 'Orns didn't turn their first half pressure into more goals, but in attack Kabba worked tirelessly and put himself wholeheartedly about the pitch for 90 minutes.

Kabba was involved when he drifted out to the right and his cross found Ellington in the middle. The record buy headed down but Aloi couldn't get his head to the ball properly.

Ainsworth was seeing plenty of the ball during the first period and often showed his full back a clean pair of heels as he skipped past him. Just before the 20 minute mark the front two of Kabba and Ellington then linked up well with a nice one-two, but the Duke couldn't quite reach the final ball in front of the diving goalkeeper.

Orient had a fantastic opportunity to equalise after 23 minutes but Efe Echanomi miss-controlled the ball after an excellent cross and Jordan Parkes managed to get back and turn the ball away.

Further efforts followed for Ainsworth and Aloi before the half time interval, but the O's levelled the score just before the break when Sylvester headed home at the far post after a deep corner evaded the Watford defence.

Half time: Leyton Orient 1 Watford 1

The second half didn't start at such a high tempo as the first but the visitors still managed to carve out a couple of chances within the first 10 minutes.

First Kabba hit a drive that was well saved by Doyle and then Parkes found plenty of space from left back, he cavaliered forward and hit a rasping drive that collided with the underside of the bar.  

Moments later O'Toole went down in the box with cries from Watford for a penalty that was waved away by the referee and his assistant.

The tempo wasn't as high after the break but the chances that were created were falling to the Hornets. 

The experienced Mackay found himself in the Orient penalty box on 66 minutes, after Mariappa was appended for the Hornets. The Scotsman rose tallest but his header was saved by the feet of Doyle.

Watford in fits and starts tried to continue their pressure from the first period. On 74 minutes Mariappa ventured forward and his swirling drive was turned behind by the goalkeeper. Then from the corner Mackay was up again and his header was tipped over the bar.

Parkes was continuing his forward involvement and his low powerful shot wasn't held by the 'keeper first time but he managed to get his gloves to it before it could roll over the line.

With just over 10 minutes on the clock, substitute Liam Henderson whipped a ball into the box, the O's cleared their lines but the Golden Boys regrouped and pelted another testing ball in.

Mackay intelligently chested the ball down and Ellington had sight of goal but the ex-Wigan man could only fire a shot wide of Doyle's left hand post.

With the game seemingly heading for a draw, Orient took advantage of the misunderstanding in the Watford defence and tucked away the deciding goal. Then Kabba's spot kick was saved to bring to a close a dramatic final few minutes of an afternoon game at Brisbane Road

WATFORD: Poom; Mariappa, Parkes, Mackay, Avinel; O'Toole, Ainsworth, Forbes, Aloi (L Henderson 76); Kabba, Ellington. Subs not used: Beech, Antal (gk), Bennett, L Young.

LEYTON ORIENT: Doyle; Martin, Kemp, Oji (O'Donnell 61), Webb; Shields, Page, Grange, Pires; Sylvester (Marsh 71), Echanomi (Bolle 65). Subs not used: Atu, Baker. 

BOOKINGS: WATFORD; none. LEYTON ORIENT: none.

SENDINGS OFF: WATFORD; none. LEYTON ORIENT; none.

GOALS: WATFORD; Ainsworth (2). LEYTON ORIENT; Sylvester (10), Page (89).

REFEREE: Mr S Beck