Leyton Orient are on course for a victory that could pull them out of the League One relegation zone after reaching half time in front against Doncaster Rovers.

The O's, who picked up a hard-fought point against MK Dons at the weekend, made a flying start and following a fast counter-attack, Jay Simpson unleashed a right-footed shot that Jed Steer couldn't keep out.

With barely nine minutes played the visitors almost took full control when Chris Dagnall fired narrowly wide from the edge of the Rovers penalty area.

Doncaster struggled to pose a threat in the opening 20 minutes, with only a blocked James Coppinger shot to show for their early endeavours.

The hosts' best chance of the opening quarter fell to the feet of Marc de Val, with the Spaniard seeing his shot kept out by Gary Woods.

Orient's keeper was called into action again on 29 minutes to keep out Nathan Tyson's strike as Doncaster began to grow in confidence. With the break approaching, Tyson again threatened to pull Rovers back on level terms, but his shot was blocked by the O's defence.