Leyton Orient came from a goalless stalemate to beat Oxford United 2-0 in Saturday's League Cup second-round tie at the BetWright Stadium, breaking the deadlock late on after a wave of substitutions turned the contest their way.
The first hour was cagey, with Fin Stevens booked in the 26th minute and Aidomo Emakhu in the 35th the only cautions before the closing stages. Orient's bench decided it: Demetri Mitchell, sent on in a triple change on 69 minutes, opened the scoring in the 84th minute, finishing a move started by fellow substitute Tony Springett. Three minutes later Idris El Mizouni doubled the lead, converting a pass from Charlie Wellens, who had himself been on the pitch for only four minutes.
Orient controlled the game by the numbers: 51% possession, 12 attempts on goal to Oxford's six, three shots on target to two, and seven corners to two. Both sides used all five permitted substitutes, Oxford's final double change in the 85th minute arriving too late to find a way back. The clean sheet and two late goals send Leyton Orient through, ending Oxford United's involvement in this season's League Cup at the second-round stage.