A much-changed Blues side progressed to the third round of the Worthington Cup with victory at Leyton Orient this evening, but were made to fight all the way by the stubborn Third Division strugglers.

Steve Bruce made eight changes to the team that started the last game with 18-year-old Mathew Sadler (pictured right) starting the match in his first senior appearance.

The youngster's accomplished performance at left back was one major plus point, as was striker Stern John's first goals from open play this season.

Bruce publically praised the Trinidad and Tobago forward in the build up to the game and the 25-year-old rewarded his manager with a hat-trick at Brisbane Road.

Stan Lazaridis was instrumental in all three goals as he looked to impress Bruce and win a starting role in Saturday's return to his former club West Ham.

Darryl Powell also caught the eye with a good performance in the middle of the park.

The Blues side looked uncomfortable in the opening minutes but the nerves were settled by John's opening goal (pictured left) on 16 minutes.

Lazaridis charged through the Orient midfield and fed John, who cooly converted with the outside of his right foot.

John had a chance to double the lead from Geoff Horsfield's low right wing cross but this time the striker fired the ball wide.

That combination paid dividends soon after for the second goal of the evening.

Lazaridis sent Horsfield away down the left and the burly forward did very well to poke the ball sidewards past the on-rushing Orient keeper Glenn Morris and into the path of John who side-footed into an empty net.

If Blues thought they were going to cruise to victory they were in for shock as the home side came back out for the second half in a far more determined manner.

Kevin Nugent saw a header easily claimed by Ian Bennett but the experienced striker was not to be disappointed on the hour when he powered the ball past Bennett from a pinpoint Matthew Brazier cross. 

John saw an effort pushed away, then Powell let fly from 30 yards and Morris did well to tip the ball over as Blues looked to kill off their plucky hosts.