Idris El Mizouni piled on the pressure for managerless Port Vale, scoring the only goal in Leyton Orient’s 1-0 win at Vale Park.
Valiants goalkeeper Connor Ripley kept the visitors at bay with a string of saves until the 60th minute of this Sky Bet League One contest, when captain El Mizouni raced onto Tom James’ pass to net his first league goal in almost a year.
Orient’s win was their fifth in an eight-game unbeaten run and keeps them pushing for a play-off spot after last season’s promotion from tier four.
In contrast, Vale, who briefly topped the division in September, are now without a win in five matches and fall into the bottom four.
They axed manager Andy Crosby on Monday, putting academy director Will Ryder and staff Matt Done and Danny Lloyd in interim charge.
Busy Ripley produced a string of saves in the opening half before Jack Shorrock retaliated with a shot beaten away by Sol Brynn.
Ruel Sotiriou had a frustrating night in front of goal, denied by the crossbar and Ripley in quick succession.
But skipper El Mizouni produced a fine low finish to earn Richie Wellens’ team a deserved victory.
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