A goal in each half sealed a loss for Leyton Orient under-18s as they played host to Plymouth Argyle in the Youth Alliance South East conference.

Plymouth took the lead in the 22nd minute when they produced a lightning quick counter attack, and they doubled the advantage after the break when the O’s were caught out by a long ball.

Orient had the first opportunity of the game when captain Bradley McClenaghan let fly from distance after carrying the ball 30 yards from his own half, but his effort was dragged wide.

Argyle then took the initiative when they won possession off the young O’s and burst forward, and with their first shot on target an effort whistled into the bottom corner.

Only a minute later the visitors had the ball in the net again from a well-worked free-kick, but the linesman raised his flag as soon as it crossed the line.

The hosts’ efforts to hit an equaliser before the break were almost rewarded when Jayden Young’s turn of pace allowed him to cross towards Laurence Hammond, but he was denied by a last-ditch block.

Straight after the restart, Jeremie Sivi got in behind the Plymouth defence after being found by Kyrell Palmer’s long ball, but his effort from a tight angle was well stopped by the visiting keeper.

Argyle once again took advantage of the O’s missed chances and added a second when a long ball exposed the home defence and the forward fired into the bottom corner.

Aridas Vilinauskas produced a fine double save to keep Plymouth out once more, but Orient were unable to find a way back into the game and had to settle for the loss.

The young O’s go again this Saturday when they take on Bristol Rovers.