A second half brace from striker Adam Boyd secured a valuable three points for Leyton Orient on Tuesday night at The Matchroom Stadium.

Swindon did have chances with Simon Cox guilty of missing the best opening for Town on a night which had seen his side take the half-time lead.

Maurice Malpas recalled goalkeeper Peter Brezovan for the League One clash at Leyton Orient. The 6'7 Slovakian returned to the line-up for the first time since the away trip to Nottingham Forest in February with Jon-Paul McGovern also handed a start in the centre of midfield with Blair Sturrock named up front alongside Simon Cox.

Town could have opened the scoring with just 21 seconds on the clock. A cross from the left from Comminges saw the ball bounce over Thelwell and McGovern was presented with an golden chance to open the scoring although fired straight at Glenn Morris in the Orient goal. Simon Cox then flashed a shot just wide of Morris before the opening minute was up.

The visitors defence were then tested with Boyd and former Town loanee Wayne Gray looking to make the most of their early possession.

Simon Cox saw his second effort of the game go wide from 25 yards out with nine minutes played with both sides striving for the advantage. The next chance fell Cox's way with the former Reading front man heading wide from a Jack Smith cross.

Swindon took the lead in fortunate circumstances. A purposeful run down the left from McNamee saw the winger beat two players before swinging in a left foot cross. With Simon Cox in close attention, centreback Alton Thelwell stuck out a leg but was only able to divert the ball home past Morris.

Peter Brezovan then claimed well after Orient's third corner of the game with the Slovakian confidently dominating his area.

There was an early change for Swindon with Chris Allen forced off injured on 25 minutes. Sofiene Zaaboub came on and took up residence on the right of midfield with McGovern moved into a central role.

JJ Melligan saw his effort saved comfortably by Brezovan on 29 minutes with Martin Ling's men exerting some pressure on the Swindon goal. Jason Demetriou then fired well over before Cox fired well over at the other end.

Orient kept up their charge in the latter stages of the first half but were unable to penetrate a resolute Swindon defence, well marshalled by Aljofree at the back. Jack Smith also enjoyed a solid first half showing on his second game under Maurice Malpas.

Half-Time: Leyton Orient 0 Swindon Town 1

Town emerged unchanged for the second period although soon found themselves early under pressure. After Hasney Aljofree had headed away from danger, Comminges was forced to concede a corner which saw Thelwell head over.

The first Swindon attack arrived two minutes into the half with both Cox and Sturrock just unable to turn a Comminges cross home.

Orient struck back with 50 minutes played. Miguel Comminges' lunge on Adam Boyd felled inside the box and the former Luton Town striker stepped up to fire past Brezovan to draw his side level.

Minutes later Jerel Ifil did well to clear a close range Melligan shot off the line with the home side looking to build on their positive start.

And build they did as Boyd headed home his second of the game on 54 minutes. A fine cross from the right by Melligan found Boyd unmarked in the centre and he powerfully headed the ball past Brezovan to make it 2-1.

Swindon remained under pressure as the clock crept past the hour. With the home fans in fine voice, Town struggled to exert any real pressure on the home goal.

Simon Cox was presented with a fine chance to level on 63 minutes but after a clever through ball from McNamee, was only able to fire into the back of the stand from 16 yards.

McNamee showed some great skill on 65 minutes to beat Adam Chambers but his cross was easily gathered by Morris in the home goal.

Jon-Paul McGovern's right foot effort was well saved by Morris on 69 minutes and from the resulting corner, McGovern saw his right foot drive fizz narrowly over.

Simon Cox then missed a guilt-edged chance on 74 minutes. After Zaaboub had found space on the right, he slid the ball into Cox who somehow found himself totally unmarked on the edge of the six yard box. With only the keeper to beat, Cox could only lift his shot over the bar with the keeper floored.

Anthony McNamee was withdrawn with ten minutes remaining with Watford loanee Moses Ashikodi on in his place to make up a three-pronged front line.

Two-goal striker Adam Boyd was then replaced by Adam Barcham on 83 minutes before Brezovan produced a late save from substitute Jabo Ihere three minutes from time.

After three minutes of injury-time the referee called time on the game and possibly Swindon's faint hopes of a play-off place.

Full-Time: Leyton Orient 2 Swindon Town 1

Goals: Thelwell og '20, Boyd '50, '54

SWINDON TOWN: Peter Brezovan; Jack Smith, Jerel Ifil, Hasney Aljofree ©, Miguel Comminges; Jon-Paul McGovern, Chris Allen (Zaaboub), Craig Easton, Anthony McNamee (Ashikodi); Blair Sturrock, Simon Cox

Substitutes: Phil Smith (GK), Moses Ashikodi, Sofiene Zaaboub, Jamie Vincent, Sean Morrison

Kick-Off: 7.45pm

Attendance: 3,082 (413 from Swindon)

Referee: Mr D Whitestone