Forest Green Rovers picked up three important points on the road, as they returned from the capital boasting a 1-0 win over in form Leyton Orient.

Nicky Cadden’s first-half strike proved to be the decider, the Scotsman applying the finishing touch to a deadly attack after 23 minutes.

Mark Cooper made five changes to the side that lost at Tranmere Rovers in midweek, as both goalscorers, Elliott Whithouse and Scott Wagstaff made the starting XI.

Jamille Matt and Chris Stokes also returned the side, while Lewis Thomas made his first League start of the season. Luke McGee missed out through injury.

Rovers started well, clearly keen to put Tuesday night behind them, and soon carved out a great chance.

With seven minutes on the clock, Matt broke free in the area and attacked Wagstaff’s cross from the right, but Rovers’ top scorer nodded wide.

It was Matt’s strike partner Aaron Collins who was on the end of Rovers next chance, latching onto a Bailey Cargill cut-back after some tidy football through the midfield.

The Welshman’s left-footed effort lacked power though, and Lawrence Vigouroux gathered.

The best chance of the first 15 minutes fell the way of the hosts, as the dangerous Conor Wilkinson burst into the area down the right, but Jordan Moore-Taylor was on hand to clear off the line as the Orient man poked an effort under Thomas.

Cargill, looking very dangerous from left-back, almost carved out a wonderful chance for Collins as he whipped an intelligent cross in from deep, but it was well defended by the O’s.

With 23 minutes on the clock it was Cadden who handed Rovers a deserved lead, as Cargill latched onto a brilliant Thomas kick before cutting back to the Scotsman.

His touch carried him deep into the area and he prodded home passed a helpless Vigouroux.

Thomas was called into action to keep the score level on the stroke of half time, getting a strong hand to Dan Happe’s header as he attacked a Jobi McAnuff corner.

Just three minutes into the second half, Orient had a great chance to pull the game level, but Happe’s knockdown dropped just behind Lee Angol who would have had an open goal.

Things got worse for Orient as they were reduced to 10 men shortly after the hour mark, Happe picking up two yellow cards in 10 minutes for a pair of challenges on Matt.

Thomas had to be quick off his line five minutes later to clear, with Orient bearing down on goal, but the final twenty minutes remained fairly uneventful for the young stopper.

The introduction of debutant Josh Davison gave Rovers the option to defend from the front, his tireless running providing a handy outlet as Mark Cooper’s men dominated the final exchanges.