Jay Simpson’s 21st league goal of the season and a late strike from Calaum Jahraldo saw Wycombe Wanderers fall to a 2-0 defeat against Leyton Orient.

In a game of few chances at Adams Park, Orient grabbed both their goals in the second half and Simpson gave them the lead just after the hour.

Jarhaldo’s goal came at the death as Wanderers sent men forward in search of an equaliser and saw Simpson add an assist to his goal.

The result sees Wycombe fall out of the play-off places, and they will now turn their attention to an away trip to Plymouth Argyle next Saturday.

The early exchanges proved to be inconsequential as both sides failed to maintain possession, and but for a speculative effort from Sam Wood neither team threatened to find a breakthrough.

Alex Lynch, who was making his first start as Wycombe’s first choice keeper after the departure of Matt Ingram, had a scare after 25 minutes.

A pass over the top of the Wycombe defence allowed the prolific Simpson to race through on goal. The striker managed to bundle the ball beyond Lynch but the keeper got back well to clear the danger.

In a half of few openings Ollie Palmer went closest to breaking the deadlock as he rose highest to connect with a Jobi McAnuff’s free kick, but could only glance a header wide.

Luke O’Nien had an appeal for a penalty turned down after he was pulled back while setting himself to shoot from just inside the area.

Moments later Orient had a penalty shout of their own as Palmer went down under the challenge of Aaron Pierre.

The penalty incidents were the main talking point of an otherwise dire half of football from both sides.

The O’s started the second half with renewed impetus and a driving run from the left by McAnuff almost forced an opening.

Paris Cowan-Hall, making his debut after re-joining Wycombe on loan from Millwall, produced a rare moment of quality as he burst past Frazer Shaw on the right and sent in a dangerous low cross.

The ball broke to Michael Harriman on the edge of the box, but he could only lash wide of the mark from distance.

Orient hit straight back though and took the lead through Simpson who was left completely unmarked inside the box to fire low past a helpless Lynch with the game’s first shot on target.

The striker’s goals have been the driving force for Leyton Orient this season and the club would surely be sitting far lower in the league without his strikes.

Wycombe’s response was limited and Jason McCarthy’s hopeful volley from all of 35 yards summed up their lack of creativity as it flew harmlessly wide.

Gozie Ugwu went closer to levelling in the 79th minute as he stretched to get on the end of a cross from the left but failed to hit the target with his poked effort.

Wycombe were now having more joy with their attacks and Anthony Stewart’s towering header almost drew the level.

With a minute left in normal time Orient wrapped up the win as they caught Wycombe on the counter.

Simpson was again instrumental and flew down the left wing before sliding a perfectly weighted pass into Jahraldo for an easy finish.

Wycombe Wanderers: Lynch; Jombati, Stewart, Pierre, Jacobson, Harriman (Udumaga 83), McCarthy, O’Nien, Wood, Hayes (c) (Cowan-Hall 57), Thompson (Ugwu 71)

Subs not used: Richardson, McGinn, Bean, Kretzschmar

Leyton Orient: Cisak; Clohessy, Essam, Baudry (c), Shaw, Jahraldo, Payne, Atangana (Pritchard 72), McAnuff, Palmer (Gnanduillet 80), Simpson

Subs not used: Grainger, Turgott, Kashket, Kpekawa, Nolan

Bookings: Jombati (foul on Pritchard 76), Jahraldo (90)

Referee: Darren Bond

Attendance: 4,432 (Away 805)