Leyton Orient 2 Carlisle United 2 ORIENT were second best for much of this clash, but came so close to recording that elusive home win, writes Trevor Davies. The O s were shocking in the first half and trailed to a Matt Robson goal just before the break.

Leyton Orient 2

Carlisle United 2

ORIENT were second best for much of this clash, but came so close to recording that elusive home win, writes Trevor Davies.

The O's were shocking in the first half and trailed to a Matt Robson goal just before the break.

But Scott McGleish levelled early in the second half with a fortuitous penalty and when the veteran striker finished off an excellent move five minutes from time, Orient looked set for a win.

But Paul Thirlwell bagged an equaliser two minutes into stoppage time to ruin Orient's victory hopes.

In fairness, it was no more than Carlisle deserved.

They forced 12 corners to the home side's two, as O's struggled from the off.

Manager Geraint Williams was forced to make changes, with Luke Ashworth coming in for his first start of the season, following an injury to Ben Chorley, while Glenn Morris replaced Jamie Jones in goal.

In the first half, the O's were strangely subdued, as they lacked the pace and tempo that was evident against Stoke a couple of days beforehand.

Perhaps those exertions had taken their toll. But Carlisle, who had played at Bristol City on the same night, had no such problems.

After being on the back foot for most of the half, O's forced their first corner on 41 minutes when McGleish had a header tipped over by keeper Lenny Pidgeley.

But, from Jason Demetriou's corner, Carlisle broke away and O's were caught for numbers as Kevan Hurst sent Robson away to net.

O's were handed a lifeline at the start of the second half when Peter Murphy was harshly punished for a high foot as he challenged Ryan Jarvis and McGleish fired home at the second attempt as referee Graham Horwood ordered a retake, after the striker had converted his first attempt.

Carlisle hit back, but Orient finished strongly and five minutes from time Jimmy Smith threaded the ball to substitute Adrian Patulea, who fed McGleish and he lofted the ball home, only for Thirlwell to ruin the party.