Cardiff City target Russell Slade watched his side lose in the Capital One Cup third round after a 1-0 home defeat to Sheffield United this evening. 

The hosts got off to the worst possible start when they fell behind in the second minute after Michael Higdon headed United in front. 

Orient had plenty of possession but struggled to create clear cut chances as their winless run at Brisbane Road stretched to four games.

It remains to be seen whether Cardiff renew their interest in Slade this week but the future of the Orient manager still appears to be uncertain. 

Jay Simpson was handed a rare chance to impress as he partnered David Mooney in attack. Centre-back Mathieu Baudry was also recalled to the side in place of the absent Shane Lowry. 

Sheffield United got off to a dream start when Higdon headed home Jamie Murphy's cross for a second minute opener. 

The O's were forced into an early change when the injured Scott Cuthbert was replaced by Bradley Pritchard. 

Orient's first effort came after 14 minutes when Jobi McAnuff picked up the ball but his low strike was straight at keeper Mark Howard.

There was a decent opportunity for the Blades when Murphy broke clear but his low strike was too close to Gary Woods. 

The O's were increasingly dominating possession but their cutting edge was severely lacking as they struggled to threaten the visitors' goal. 

Mooney had a long-range strike for Orient but his effort failed to trouble Howard.

Sheffield United forced the first effort of the second half but James Wallace's shot was comfortably saved by Woods. 

Simpson flicked on a cross from Elliot Omozusi but the ball went safely into the arms of United's Howard.

Slade made his second change as he introduced winger Dean Cox in place of Michael Petrasso with just under half an hour remaining.

The O's came close to an equaliser through Omozusi but the defender's fierce shot from outside the area deflected onto the post. 

Orient made their final change with over 20 minutes left when Darius Henderson came on for the ineffective Mooney. 

Pritchard sent in a cross which resulted in pin ball in the United area but it was eventually cleared as the chance went begging. 

Omozusi again threatened from distance but his powerful strike was straight at Howard as time was running out for the home side. 

The visitors had a chance to seal victory but substitute Chris Porter's header was saved by Woods.

There were four minutes of injury time but Romain Vincelot headed over from close range with their final chance as the O's Capital One Cup run came to a disappointing end. 

Leyton Orient: Woods; Omozusi, Clarke, Baudry, Cuthbert (Pritchard, 12) ; McAnuff, James, Vincelot, Petrasso (Cox, 62); Mooney (Henderson, 68), Simpson 

Subs not used: Batt, Bartley, Dagnall, Grainger

Sheffield United: Howard; Alcock, Collins, McGahey, Harris; Flynn, Wallace (Doyle, 67), Reed, McGinn; Murphy, Higdon (Porter, 77)

Subs not used: Scougall, McNulty, Davies, McEveley, Turner

Referee: James Adcock

Attendance: 3,223