Leyton Orient 1 Brentford 1

Last updated : 09 September 2006 By Footymad Previewer
An out of the blue equaliser from Brentford full-back Sam Tillen two minutes from time maintained his side's unbeaten record.

The Bees looked like crashing to their first league defeat of the season until the defender popped up with his late leveller.

Orient, who had lost their last three league games, had gone ahead early on through midfield man Michael Simpson and had enough second-half chances to have put the issue beyond doubt.

But they were made to pay when the Brentford defender strode forward and released a powerful 20-yard drive that flew into the net.

It was rough justice on the home team, who had started well and almost took a fourth minute lead when the lively Joe Keith fed Wayne Corden and his snap-shot was palmed away by Brentford keeper Stuart Nelson.

Playing with pace and tempo Orient continued to press and, in the eighth minute, Justin Miller fed Gary Alexander and, when the Orient striker fired across goal, his strike partner Paul Connor stabbed the ball just wide.

So it came as no surprise when Orient took a 15th minute lead. Simpson fired home from a tight angle on the left following slick build-up play involving skipper Matthew Lockwood, Keith and Alexander.

Orient almost grabbed a second when Connor shot wide after wriggling through, while at the other end, little was seen of the Brentford attack although Jo Kuffour should have levelled with a close-range header.

After the break Orient continued to dominate against an out-of-sorts Brentford side and had plenty of opportunities to wrap things up. First Corden had a shot saved by Nelson and then Keith wasted a glorious close-range chance on 56 minutes after Alexander had set him up with he flicked on Miller's long throw.

Brian Saah went close with a header as the O's continued to press. Then Miller saw a shot blocked after more good play by workaholic Alexander.

With the game drawing to a close the O's were made to pay for missing those chances as Brentford moved men forward and Tillen popped up to snatch a last-gasp equaliser.