Leyton Orient 1 Macclesfield Town 3

Last updated : 07 August 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Macclesfield Town started the season with a bang as two-goal Jon Parkin fired them to victory Brisbane Road in typically tropical conditions.

It was a desperate result for the home side and when Parkin slammed Macc into a three-goal lead after 82 minutes, it sparked a mass exodus from the home fans.

Ironically it started all so well for Orient who played some neat football but lacked any real cutting edge. Orient created two first-half chances when Andy Scott and Michael Simpson headed close-range efforts, but Orient was made to pay for failing to take their chances when the visitors scored with their first genuine attempt on 41 minutes.

Some awful defending saw Orient caught square at the back when Michael Brisco's long ball found Matt Tipton and he lobbed home.

That knocked the stuffing out of the home side and Parkin could have easily added a second before the break, but he shot tamely at Glen Morris.

In the second half Orient pressed forward without ever looking dangerous and Macc struck a killer blow on 73 minutes when Parkin latched on to Tipton's throughball and rounded Morris.

Eight minutes later Parkin struck again when he latched on to a Paul Harsley pass after David Hunt was caught in possession.

Parkin coolly rolled the ball into the corner of the net and that finally sparked Orient into life as 60 seconds later substitute Wayne Purser stabbed the ball home from close range following Matt Lookwood's left-wing cross.

As Orient threw caution to the wind, sub Jabo Ibhere twice went close in the final five minutes but it was too little too late as Macc were on their way to their first ever victory at Brisbane Road.