Leyton Orient 1-0 Shrewsbury: Town's unbeaten run comes to an end in the capital

Salop came into the game having not lost in four matches, while Orient had won six of their last seven - including their 3-2 New Year's Day win at Bristol Rovers. 

It was the fifth and final game of the festive period, and you could see in the early stages both sets of players were mentally and physically jaded. 

Town did well in the first half in east London. It was similar to the display we saw from Shrewsbury by the seaside against Blackpool on New Year's Day. 

In the opening 40 minutes, the two sides cancelled each other out, but the hosts had two big chances at the end. 

First, Ethan Galbraith beat Mal Benning on the Town right and then he forced Jamal Blackman into a smart save at his near post. 

At the other end, John Marquis could have nudged Town ahead when they threatened from a corner, but as it bounced around in the six-yard box, it was hooked away by an O's defender. 

The best chance of the opening 45 minutes came in stoppage time as Jamie Donley headed wide when he was completely unmarked eight yards out. 

Richie Wellens' side came out rejuvenated after the break, and Charlie Kelman almost gave them the lead when he rounded Blackman, but he fired into the side netting. 

Blackman was involved again when Jordan Brown unleashed a shot more than 30 yards out, but the keeper pushed it away again. 

The Orient opener did come just after the hour mark, and it was deserved. 

Donley made the run forward, and when he was almost at the byline his strike towards goal beat Blackman at the near post.

Ainsworth made a triple substitution as Josh Kayode, George Lloyd, and Carl Winchester came on - the latter for his 500th career appearance. 

Town had picked up three draws and a win in their last four games, but that looked as if it was to come to an end in London. 

Kayode fired wide with Town's best chance of the second half, but Town looked more likely to fall further behind than to get back into it, and it ended 1-0. 

TEAMS

Orient: Keeley, Simpson, Brown, Currie, Donley, Pratley (Clare 64), Beckles, Perkins (Sweeney 88), O'Neill (Jaiyesimi 33), Galbraith, Kelman. 

Subs: Phillips, Cooper, Warrington, Obiero. 

Shrews: Blackman, M Feeney, J Feeney, Pierre (Winchester 71), Benning, Hoole, Gilliead (Rossiter 60), Shipley (Kayode 71), Castledine (Ojo 79), Bloxham, Marquis (Lloyd 71). 

Subs: Savin, Perry.