PLYMOUTH Argyle responded to their home defeat by Burton Albion in perfect fashion as two goals in six second-half minutes earned them a 2-0 win at Leyton Orient and sent them top of Sky Bet League One.

Bim Pepple and Will Evans struck in quick succession to settle a scrappy contest and give Tom Cleverley’s side their fifth league win of the campaign.

Orient threatened early, Fin Stevens shooting narrowly wide after three minutes before Oliver Irow forced Nathan Baxter into a smart save at the other end. However, neither side could find a breakthrough before half-time.

Argyle returned with greater purpose and took the lead in the 52nd minute when Bradley Ibrahim worked the ball across goal following a corner, allowing Pepple to poke home his fifth of the season.

Five minutes later, Ronan Curtis delivered a deep cross from the right and Evans rose to head into the net for his third of the campaign.

Orient pushed for a response late on, but Argyle held firm to move to the summit.

Cleverley was delighted with the response to last week’s setback, although insisted there was no room for complacency.

“In my opinion, it’s one really good performance in 46 and next week it’s important we have another good performance,” he said. “The players knew what we didn’t do last weekend. We’ve had a week to work on it and I thought they executed it outstandingly well today.

“I’m really proud of the players. They deserve a lot of credit. That’s how you respond to a defeat at home.”

Despite moving top, Cleverley insisted Argyle would not become distracted by the league table.

“For now we focus on what gives us long-term success and performances,” he said. “There will be no talk about where we are in the league.”

Argyle play host to AFC Wimbledon on Saturday at Home Park (12.30pm).