Balint Bajner’s early goal sees the Blues leading Leyton Orient 1-0 at half-time in their final pre-season friendly at Brisbane Road.

Town started with Dean Gerken in goal, Jonny Parr at right-back, Tyrone Mings on the left and skipper Luke Chambers and Christophe Berra at the heart of the defence.

Luke Hyam was at the centre of the midfield alongside Cole Skuse with Elliott Hewitt on the right and Jay Tabb on the left.

New signing Bajner partnered Daryl Murphy up front. The rest of the first team squad were on the bench, aside from Paul Anderson and Tommy Smith, who have niggles, and Paul Taylor.

The home side threatened first in the eighth minute, LJoyd James striking the top of the bar with a well-struck freekick from 25 yards.

A minute later, Town went in front. Tabb cut in from the left and hit a low shot which O’s keeper Adam Legzdins blocked. The loose ball ran out to Bajner, who deftly stroked home his second goal in a Blue shirt from just inside the box.

Orient striker David Mooney hit shot on the turn which deflected wide, then Mathieu Baudry saw a header flick through to Gerken with the home side having had more of the early opportunities despite Town having taken the lead.

Just before the half hour, Chambers headed a deep Tabb corner from the left over, Town’s best chance since the goal.

Orient, who had continued to have most of the ball and a greater share of the chances, should have got back on terms in the 33rd minute when Romain Vincelot broke into the area on the right, but Gerken spread himself well to deny the former Dagenham and Redbridge man with his toe.

The Blues were forced into a change in the 38th minute when Parr picked up what looked to be either a groin or hamstring injury. Cameron Stewart took over on the right of midfield with Hewitt switching to right-back.

Just before the half-time whistle was sounded by referee Gary Sutton, sub Stewart curled a freekick just wide after Tabb had been fouled.

Orient will have felt themselves unfortunate to be behind at the break, having played more of the better football and having had one or two decent chances, Vincelot in particular will have been rueing not taking his opportunity. Town, meanwhile, had one serious chance which a grateful Bajner took confidently.

Town: Gerken, Parr (Stewart 38), Mings, Hyam, Chambers, Berra, Hewitt, Skuse, , Murphy, Bajner, Tabb. Subs: Bilakowski, Clarke, McGoldrick, Bru, Wordsworth, Henshall, Stewart, Nouble, Marriott, Crowe.

Photo: Action Images

Dozzells_Bobblehat added 18:43 - Aug 2 Blueboy if u r talking about Parr he can play either full back
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