A stoppage-time goal sees the Valiants face narrow defeat at Vale Park.
Darren Moore made eight changes to his side that beat Leeds United U21s in their first game of the Vertu Trophy campaign, with Devante Cole making his debut for Darren Moore's side.
A deserved early goal came the way of the Valiants as Devante Cole teed up Ryan Croasdale, who slotted a goal through Killian Cahill’s legs after Devante Cole made a lovely run down the left-hand side.
Four minutes later, Leyton Orient equalised through Aaron Connolly, who converted a deflected cross from the right from close-range.
In the 15th minute, there was a chance for both teams to take the lead. Rhys Walters tested Orient keeper Killian Cahill with a long-range effort, which was well-saved. Orient instantly countered with the ball finding its way to Ollie O’Neill, who had his shot saved by Marko Marosi.
A corner by Jaheim Headley, in the 38th minute, found Rhys Walters on the edge of the box, who saw his low strike denied by Cahill. The rebound then found George Byers on the right side of the box, but his follow-up went wide of goal and into the side netting.
The visitors had a goal disallowed just before the end of the first half. O’Neill slid the ball past Marosi, but he was adjudged to have handled the ball prior to the shot.
Shortly after, Leyton Orient took the lead as another chance for Ollie O’Neill was poked home.
The fourth official indicated an additional two minutes of added time at the end of the first 45 minutes.
HALF TIME: Port Vale 1 – 2 Leyton Orient
Two substitutions were made at half-time for the Valiants as Funso Ojo and Ruari Paton replaced George Byers and Mo Faal.
Darren Moore's side piled on the pressure early on and in the 51st minute, Vale were rewarded with a goal when a corner found Rhys Walters again, whose shot was saved, but only as far as Devante Cole as the debutant buried the rebound from the centre of the box.
Vale came close again a few minutes after they equalised when Paton's free-kick was met by the head of Funso Ojo, but the midfielder's header came crashing back off the crossbar.
Another substitution was made for the Valiants in the 69th minute as goal scorer Devante Cole left the field to a standing ovation for Dajaune Brown.
As Vale pushed for a late winner, they were hit on the counter-attack by the visitors as Koroma teed up Wellens for the winner with just seconds to play.
FULL TIME: Port Vale 2 – 3 Leyton Orient
Team News
Port Vale: Marko Marosi, Jaheim Headley (76’ Liam Gordon), Ben Heneghan, Connor Hall, George Byers © (46’ Funso Ojo), Rhys Walters, Ryan Croasdale, Kyle John (78’ Mitch Clarke), Cam Humphreys, Mo Faal (46’ Ruari Paton), Devante Cole (70’ Dajaune Brown).
Subs not used: Ben Amos, Ronan Curtis.
Leyton Orient: Killian Cahill, Tom James (59’ Rarmani Edmonds-Green), Dan Happe, Ollie O’Neill (69’ Demetri Mitchell), Irish El Mizouni, Aaron Connolly, Michael Craig, Josh Koroma, Omar Beckles © (59’ Jack Simpson), Jack Moorhouse (69’ Sean Clare), Dom Ballard (79’ Charlie Wellens).
Subs not used: Noah Phillips, Sonny Perkins.
