Crawley Town exited the Papa John’s Trophy on Tuesday night following a 4-0 defeat at home to Leyton Orient.
The visitors took an early lead when Ruel Sotirou found space to turn and shoot from 12 yards out in following Orient’s first attack of the game.
This failed to light a spark under the Reds’ rotated line-up and Orient bagged a second on the half-hour mark courtesy of a Dan Happe header.
Sotirou bagged his brace with 58 minutes on the clock after bringing a long throw under control with a deft touch before volleying the ball home from close range.
The fourth was added by Dan Kemp who took advantage of space in the box and tapped home a low cross from close range.
Crawley went behind just as early as they had in their last Papa John’s Trophy game away at Charlton Athletic when Sotirou was given the time to turn and shoot in the sixth minute. His right-footed effort sneaking past debutant Dion-Curtis Henry at his left-hand post.
The host’s makeshift line-up struggled to create chances in the attacking third and only registered their first chance in the 22nd minute; Mark Marshall curling the ball just past the post from 20 yards.
Moments later, Tony Craig – who was making his 50th appearance for the Reds – produced a goal-saving tackle to deny Sotirou on the penalty spot and earned the loudest cheer of the evening in the process.
A poor first half-hour was capped off when Orient added a second on that mark. Happe connected well with Tom James’ lofted cross to the back post and looped his header over the unfortunate Henry.
The Reds began the second half in much the same fashion in which they began the first as they struggled to create a clear chance or test 19-year-old Orient goalkeeper Rhys Byrne.
This lack of attacking conviction was punished just before the hour mark when Sotirou added his second and Orient’s third. This one exhibited more skill than his first as the forward took one touch and volleyed the ball past Henry in emphatic fashion.
Three became four in the 77th minute as Kemp stole in to tap the ball home from less than six yards. ‘The Kempster’ ran in from the left wing to meet Craig Clay’s cross and complete the rout.
The Reds now turn their attention to Saturday’s league fixture away at Rochdale.
REDS XI: Henry, Davies, Gallacher, Craig, Dallison, Powell, Battle, Tilley (Frost 60’), Khaleel (Appiah 60’), Bansal-McNulty (Kevser-Junior 85’), Marshall
UNUSED SUBS: Morris, Francomb, Rodari, Hessenthaler
Attendance: 810 (106 away)
