Hartlepool United's promotion hopes were given a further knock after going down 3-1 to Leyton Orient at Brisbane Road.

The O's stunned the visitors, excelling into a 3-0 lead with just 18 minutes on the clock played.

Captain Dean Smith opened the scoring when he met Scott Houghton's free-kick, heading home after just seven minutes.

Steve Watts increased the home side's advantage after 16 minutes following good work from Wim Walschaerts.

Watts latched onto the Dutchman's pass to knock the ball past Anthony Williams sending the Brisbane Road crowd into raptures.

Pool's fate was completed when Michael Barron was caught out by former Manchester City striker Carl Griffiths and the Welshman duly obliged to Barron's blunder to put the O's 3-0 up after 18 minutes.

Tommy Miller grabbed a late goal for Pool but it was too little too late as Chris Turner's side suffered their third consecutive defeat after a 21 game unbeaten run.

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