Hartlepool United 1 - 1 Leyton Orient
Coca-Cola League One
ORIENT ended 2007 with a point from the long journey to Hartlepool United.
Adam Chambers scored his second goal of the season to give the visitors a first half lead, but they could only hold it until the 55th minute, when Hartlepool's Ian Moore levelled the scores.
Hartlepool were on top in the second period following a first half in which Orient enjoyed the better of the play and, on balance, a draw was a fair result.
Hartlepool's David Foley offered the first threat on goal, shooting wide of the far post with his left foot after five minutes.
Ian Moore then sent an effort into Stuart Nelson's arms from the edge of the box, but it was a quiet start to the game.
A free-kick from the left on 22 presented Wayne Corden with an opportunity to send a ball into the box, and after former Poolie man Adam Boyd flicked on, Jabo Ibehre sent his header over the bar.
Another set-piece at the other end nine minutes later almost led to Hartlepool taking the lead, but Tamika Mkandawire got up superbly to deny Richard Barker from under his own crossbar.
Within 60 seconds, Orient had taken the lead following the best move of the opening period. Chambers exchanged passes with Boyd, and with Paul Terry's run taking the covering defender away, Chambers could run in on goal to slip the ball under keeper Jan Budtz.
The home side tried to hit back eight minutes later when they were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box for a handball by JJ Melligan. Robbie Elliott's shot was blocked by the wall, but the rebound fell to Ritchie Humphreys, whose stinging effort was parried behind for a corner.
Hartlepool weren't looking anything like the side that so easily defeated the O's in September, and after they gave the ball away sloppily to Melligan, two minutes later, the visitors created a golden chance to make it 2-0.
The winger skipped around his man on the left and he had Ibehre free in the middle. Melligan's cross was just behind Ibehre, though, and Michael Nelson recovered to block.
Orient needed to keep it tight at the start of the second period, but Foley got in behind Alton Thelwell to reach Moore's lofted pass within seconds of the restart. An equaliser looked on the cards, but Chambers got back to nip the ball of the home player's toes.
At the other end, Corden left Eddie Nolan on his backside with a clever dummy inside the area. The wingman's trickery created the space for a cross, which only just evaded Melligan and Boyd in the centre.
But Hartlepool didn't have to wait long for their equaliser, with Moore drilling home from the edge of the box after Orient couldn't get the ball clear on 55 minutes.
The O's were in need of a steadying influence, but they came close to retaking the lead on 62 when Corden sent a free-kick inches too high.
However, Hartlepool were posing a far greater threat in the second period and Barker hooked an effort onto the crossbar with Nelson well beaten on 67.
But Orient tightened up towards the end and did a good job of preserving their point - one which was well earned.
Hartlepool: Budtz; Nolan (Gibb 49), Nelson, Antwi, Elliott; Foley (Mackay 66), Liddle, Sweeney, Humphreys; Moore, Barker
Subs: Clark, Bullock, Lee-Barrett (GK)
Goal: Moore (55)
Leyton Orient: Nelson; Purches, Thelwell, Mkandawire, Palmer; Melligan, Chambers, Terry, Corden; Ibehre (Barcham 73), Boyd
Subs: Daniels, Saah, Thornton, Echanomi
Goal: Chambers (33)
Referee: Darren Drysdale (Lincolnshire)
Attendance: 4,379 (158 away)
