Leeds United 1 - 1 Leyton Orient
Cola-Cola League One
TEN-MAN Orient held out for an heroic point at Leeds United on Saturday - but it was referee Nigel Miller who stole the headlines with an error-strewn performance
The O's seemed to be well in control of an absorbing contest and led through Sean Thornton's early free-kick, but after official Miller harshly judged the goalscorer to have used his elbow on Seb Carole in the 34th minute, it was a serious case of backs to the wall.
Carole levelled superbly early in the second period and Orient were grateful for Kandol's dreadful missed penalty with eight minutes left.
But they had major grievances of their own shortly afterwards when Adam Boyd's low shot went through home stopper Casper Ankergren and looked to have crossed the line.
The officials disagreed and Orient had to be content with a brilliantly-won point.
Orient started well and looked confident in possession during the first couple of minutes, and Jason Demetriou sent a half-volley over the top with three minutes on the clock.
Five minutes later they stunned the home support when Demetriou was fouled in the left channel and Thornton curled over a free-kick that snuck into the top corner at the far post.
Jermaine Beckford and Kandol sent shots wide of the mark in quick succession as Leeds looked to hit back, but Orient had started the better and Thornton shot straight into Ankergren's arms on 14.
Boyd then flashed an effort just wide of the near post, while Demetriou came even closer midway through the first half when he ghosted past his man down the left and curled an effort onto the far post with Ankergren beaten.
But the O's were dealt a blow 14 minutes before half-time when Thornton was dismissed for what the referee interpreted as leading with an elbow in an aerial challenge with Seb Carole.
Ten minutes later Tamika Mkandawire was positioned pefectly to clear Andrew Hughes' header off the line after Stuart Nelson had come to punch Frazer Richardson's cross.
Orient knew Leeds would up the ante at the start of the second period and Nelson had to dive full length to his left to repel Jamie Clapham's stinging effort on 48.
And seven minutes later the scores were level when the O's were caught out by a quickly-taken short corner routine. Thompson worked the ball to Carole, who dashed inside and looked up before curling a superb effort into the top corner.
The home side were certainly making use of their extra man and Carole was next to go close, drawing a low save from Nelson with a shot from 25 yards.
Beckford then curled a delightful shot inches past the post and Orient were hanging on by their fingernails.
Sub Mark De Vries looked to have got the better of Mkandawire with ten minutes to go, but Charlie Daniels covered round superbly to deny the Leeds frontman.
However, it looked as if the O's resistance was finally going to be broken when Paul Terry was penalised for nudging Carole in the box. Kandol couldn't take advantage though, blazing the spot kick well over the top.
Orient were galvanised and they were denied what looked to be a clear goal when Ankergren fumbled Boyd's shot. The ball appeared to cross the line, but the linesman's flag stayed down and the score remained 1-1.
Boyd then had a shot cleared off the line, while Ankergren reacted well to tip Charlie Daniels' deflected free-kick over the top.
Leeds seemed to have forgotten about their defensive needs but neither team could find another way through in a breathless final 10 minutes.
Leeds: Ankergren; Richardson, Marques, Heath, Clapham (De Vries 77); Prutton (Da Costa 77), Thompson (Westlake 58), Carole, Hughes; Kandol, Beckford
Subs: Huntington, Andrews
Goal: Carole (55)
Booked: Heath
Leyton Orient: Nelson; Purches, Thelwell, Mkandawire, Daniels; Thornton, Chambers, Terry, Demetriou; Gray (Ibehre 67), Boyd
Subs: Saah, Melligan, Corden, Palmer
Goal: Thornton (9)
Sent off: Thornton
Referee: Nigel Miller (Durham)
Attendance: 29,177 (approx 1,500 away)
