Yohann Lasimant came off the bench to score the winning goal for Orient as they saw off the threat of Gillingham at Priestfield.
The Frenchman scored in the first minute of injury time as the O’s secured a much needed three points.
The visitors got off to the worst possible start when Adebayo Akinfenwa opened the scoring for the Gills. From a corner Akinfenwa rose highest and looped his header past League debutant Jake Larkins.
Larkins was then forced into action again as he saved well from Luke Hessenthaler.
The O’s had a glorious chance to get back level when a penalty was awarded for a foul on Kevin Lisbie by Leon Legge.
Elliot Omozusi was the penalty taker, but he could only watch as Stuart Nelson saved his spot kick.
Worse was to come for the travelling east Londoners as Shaun Batt pulled up with an injury when clean through on goal.
Gillingham went started the second period a goal up and looking for a second with Cody MacDonald seeing his effort go narrowly wide beating Mathieu Baudry to the ball.
Orient were struggling to create chances to get back into the contest but they found a breakthrough with 20 minutes to go.
From a Dean Cox free kick, Bartley found himself unmarked to nod the ball into the net in front of the Orient supporters.
Orient were now in control and desperately seeking a winner. Cox came close with 10 minutes to go but his goal bound effort was repelled by Nelson.
Lasimant then entered the fray with five minutes of normal time remaining. He almost scored sooner but his shot following a scramble in the Gills box was cleared of the line by Legge.
But with a minute gone of stoppage time Lasimant struck in fortunate circumstances.
Nathan Clarke’s cross was not gathered by Nelson and instead reached Lasimant who headed home at the far post.
The O’s held on for the remaining minutes of added time to seal their first league victory in over a month.
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