Another year another early cup exit and it doesn't matter how many time this happens it still hurts.

Rangers were without several players who helped us win 4-0 away on Saturday. Simon Royce and Jerome Thomas were cup tied whilst Bircham and Bean were suspended and Paul Furlong injured. Kevin Gallen was dropped to the bench.

This gave several players yet another chance to impress. Karl Connolly was back on the left, Digby was in goal whilst Palmer and Rose started in midfield. Thomson and Pacquette started up front whilst Clarke Carlisle started his first game since January 2001.

The Rangers fans (around 1,600 of us) tried to get behind the team but the atmosphere had the air of a pre season game rather than a cup tie.

The signs were not good early on as long balls were hoofed over the top for Pacquette and Thomson and the little Orient winger Campbell-Ryce looked a tricky player. He was a bit like doudou but had an end product and was causing us a few scares early on.

We had a good chance to grab the lead though. Some nice passing between Pacquette and Thomson saw Thommo run into space and curl his shot towards the top corner but it was tipped away for a corner.

Here is where Rangers should be dangerous with Shittu, Carlisle, Palmer and , Pacquette and Rose all tall players who should win headers in these situations. To often though the corners were hit low or cleared without a problem. We had two headers go close, one from Shittu and one from Carlisle but in truth the goalkeeper wasn't troubled to often.

Orient weren't much better to be honest as the game turned into a long ball feast with only Campbell-Ryce waking us up with some moments of skill. In fairness to Tommy Williams though he was coping well with the threat but needed more help from Connolly who just didn't seem interested from the first whistle to the last.

Orient fired a warning shot to us with a free kick on the edge of the area which was inched over the bar. The warning wasn't heard though and Rangers were soon a goal behind.

Poor defending led to it as a shot was parried by Digby and Campbell-Ryce was left unmarked to have his effort saved by Digby but he buried the rebound to give them the lead.

We fought back and had a few more corners. Pacquette had a shot fly over and Thomson had our best chance after Pacquette's shot was saved and with an open goal to aim for, Thomson hit the post.

It was a very poor performance and we really needed one of the forwards to drop off and look for the ball rather than a ball over the top all of the time. Thomson tried to do this but is nowhere near as good as Gallen in this role and was easily pushed off the ball.

Just before half time we let in another one. More dreadful defending as Williams looked for help against Campbell-ryce he was offered none as Connolly allowed Joseph space to pick out a pass for the youngster to run on to. Williams was beaten but the winger did well to keep the ball in floating in a deep cross. Still the danger should have been cleared as they were allowed a free header to put the ball into the six yard box and Thorpe was unsurprisingly unmarked to maker it 2-0.

We had four good players in defence last night but as a unit they were a disgrace and just couldn't clear any danger.

Half time saw fans sing What a load of rubbish and boo the team off. A stark contrast to the Mansfield fans who clapped their team off after a 4-0 home defeat but we were playing rubbish in this one.

Second saw two immediate changes. Off went Pacquette and Carlisle as Palmer went back into defence and Langley went into central midfield. Kevin Gallen went up front with Doudou on the wing.

From the first kick Gallen was outstanding, immediately setting up an attack and winning a corner. Shittu headed over and we seemed a different team. Gallen was dropping off wanting the ball and spraying passes around to Doudou and Langley and we looked a better side.

Doudou was running at Orient and was hacked down twice getting us free kicks in good positions. Tommy Williams though was not on form and was nowhere near the goal on both occasions.

After a bright start Doudou began to fade and despite being skilful he has no final ball to create anything and is becoming a liability to be honest.

Gallen was making us pass the ball but we didn't look much of a threat until Langley ran into the box and was hacked down for a penalty. After a long delay Andy Thomson stepped up and was as calm as ever to place it into the bottom corner.

After this Rangers surged forward again winning a corner. This time Gallen got the ball from ten yards out with his back to goal and was hacked down but no penalty this time. It was an even more blatant penalty than the first one.

Orient broke and were soon 3-1 up. More poor defending as we failed to win a header from a cross and after a Digby save Fletcher was unmarked as the defence stood and watched a simple tap in. Kevin Gallen was furious at the halfway line slaughtering the defence for some dreadful work.

Gallen was the only Rangers player looking like he belonged a division above and one good passing move saw Thomson clean through but he shot wide when he really should have scored.

That move though was a rare one as the football played was dire. Dennis Oli came on for Connolly and we grabbed another goal back soon afterwards. Kevin Gallen with his back to goal turned and out muscled the defender to work a shooting opportunity and fire into the back of the net. It was a quality goal and well deserved for Gallen.

After that we pushed for the winner, Dennis Oli went close with a header but it was all to late and we were out of the cup again at the first hurdle.

It is now eight years since we won an away game in London and during those eight years we have now played every London league club.

Man of the Match: Kevin Gallen

Players Ratings

30. Fraser Digby: Not fully fit and it showed as he should have done better with two of the goals. 5/10

2. Terrell Forbes: Not his best game but he got better in the second half. 6/10

33. Tommy Williams: I didn't think he was as bad as some made out, he defended ok against a tricky winger and it was only the lack of help when he was one against two that made him look poor. 6/10

5. Clarke Carlisle: Got through the game without any problems but needs more games before he is fully fit. 7/10

6. Danny Shittu: He was poor again struggling to deal with the Orient attacks and his distribution of the ball is awful at times. 5/10

4. Steve Palmer: Looked much better back in defence as he again showed he is no midfield player. 6/10

12. Matthew Rose: One moment summed Rose up for me, in the second half Forbes looked up to see Rose who called for the ball and as it was passed to him he turned his back and ran off before blaming Forbes for passing to him. Rose is a fucking disgraceful professional, I won't stick up for him anymore. Without Bircham alongside him you realise how shit he really is. Another Rose cock up came as Gallen fought for the ball and laid it off for Rose but to get the ball Rose had to go in for a tackle. I'll leave you to guess who bottled out of the challenge. 3/10

10. Karl Connolly: Woeful 3/10

9. Richard Langley: Spent the first half watching high balls being played to him and obviously struggled. Went into the middle for the second half and was a bit disappointing despite doing some good things. 6/10

27. Andy Thomson: Scored one but missed two sitters, he worked hard up front though and he'll get better 6/10

24. Richard Pacquette: Had no service to him and had to create chances himself. He did all right but didn't look at his best. 6/10

Subs:

10. Kevin Gallen: Phenomenal performance by Gallen, working so hard and making things happen for us. Fully deserved his goal. 9/10

12. Doudou: Hes becoming more frustrating by the game and just doesn't seem to offer much to the team. 5/10

20. Dennis Oli: Did ok and almost scored. 6/10