1 min
Leyton Orient played out their eleventh draw of the season with a goalless stalemate against fellow League Two Play-Off chasers Port Vale at Brisbane Road.
The O’s looked understandably rusty in the opening 45 minutes given their five week break from league action due to a number of coronavirus cancellations.
In a subdued first-half, Orient forward Paul Smyth came closest when his fierce shot nestled into the side-netting.
The second-half wasn’t much better with the lack of quality from both sides quickly seeing the game descend into a frustratingly scrappy encounter with a number of niggling fouls.
The result leaves Orient 13th in the table, nine points from a Play-Off place but with a number of games in hand on their rivals.
Key Points
Check out all the key talking points and reaction from London Football Scene below…
Key Moment
Paul Smyth’s shot that rippled the side-netting was only a half chance but it was the closest either side came to scoring in a drab affair.
Moan of the Match
Orient might need a Plan B in games like this. Given the gap growing between themselves and the Play-Off places, they can’t afford too many more draws.
Talking Point
How much did Orient miss their injured wing-backs Tom James and Theo Archibald?
Man of the Match
Omar Beckles – the Orient centre-back marshalled his defence well in what was his side’s first clean sheet for over two months.
Tweet of the Match
Referee Watch
Declan Bourne (Nottinghamshire) – there were some question marks about his decision not to award Orient a first-half penalty but other than that the official had a steady game.
Atmosphere
Both sets of fans took a while to warm-up but grew in voice as the match went on.
Verdict
On the face of it a decent point against a good side but Orient will need to start turning these draws into wins sooner rather than later if they’re to make the Play-Offs.
