Leyton Orient 5-0 Hartlepool United

Aaron Drinan has now scored seven goals for Orient this season

A refereeing mix-up led to an unusual start to the second half in Leyton Orient's thrashing of Hartlepool, in which Aaron Drinan netted a hat-trick for the hosts.

After referee Alan Young took the players off too early at the end of the first half, he corrected his own error by arranging for the two sides to come out after the half-time interval and play the missing four minutes before then swapping ends to immediately kick off the second half.

It did little to hamper Orient, who had gone ahead after 20 minutes when Harry Smith laid the ball into the path of fellow striker Drinan to drive low into the net.

Home captain Darren Pratley, who had already been booked, then handled the ball after 34 minutes, but escaped with a lecture from the referee.

Moments later, the O's doubled their lead when Smith drilled a shot into the net and Pools manager Dave Challinor was booked for his heated complaints about Pratley's let-off.

After Pratley was substituted by Kenny Jackett at half-time, Tom James then added a third six minutes into the second half when the Pools defence went missing.

With six minutes left, Pools keeper Jonathan Mitchell cleared the ball straight to Drinan, who shot into the empty net from 20 yards.

Drinan completed his hat-trick in stoppage time after a header by Smith hit the upright and fell into his path for a simple tap-in.

Orient assistant manager Joe Gallen:

"The ref made a mistake. He was man enough to own up to it and he tried to find a solution.

"Hartlepool wanted the additional four minutes played, which was absolutely fine by us and we just carried on."

Hartlepool boss Dave Challinor:

"After the game I spoke to the referee. He said he's 'had a bad day' but not as bad as my day let me tell you.

"That incident with Pratley was a huge turning point in the game. The whole day from that point onward went downhill.

"After the referee took us off early, their experienced manager takes off the player who should have been sent off."

Match report supplied by PA Media.