A last-gasp goal overshadowed a positive performance from Leyton Orient under-18s as they fell to a 3-2 defeat at home to Gillingham on Monday.

Lawrence Hammond and Brad McClenaghan found the net for the young O’s, but an 89th minute strike from the visiting Gills stole all three points.

A lightning fast start from the hosts saw them test the away goalkeeper inside the first two minutes of the game as Finlay Lovatt released Jordan Adeyemi, who fired across goal but saw the keeper parry his effort.

Against the run of play though, Gillingham took the lead of 39 minutes when a dubious decision from the referee saw a free-kick awarded 25 yards from goal, and the ball was fired home to put the Gills up by a goal at the break.

A deserved equaliser came 11 minutes after the restart when Brian Ifeanyi received the ball out wide, and he lifted the ball into Hammond to volley home.

Four minutes later, Orient took the lead when a short corner to Jeremie Sivi was wrapped perfectly onto the head of McClenagahn to flick home.

Another free-kick shortly after saw Gillingham level however, this time being crossed into the area before it was bundled over the line.

McClenaghan was denied a late winner by a wonderful save and, with moments to go, it was heartbreak for the O’s as a ball was played in behind their defence and the forward finished first time to steal the win.

The under-18’s next game sees them play Forest Green Rovers away from home on Saturday, April 27.