THERE was one common thread running through the press coverage of Orient's 1-1 draw with Leeds United - the ineptitude of referee Nigel Miller.

O's boss Martin Ling was furious that Miller got the four major decisions of the game - Sean Thornton's red card; the corner that led to Leeds' equaliser; the decision to award the home side a late penalty; and Adam Boyd's shot which clearly crossed the line but did not result in a goal - wrong and it was his comments on the official's performance that gained most coverage.

The News of the World led with Ling's refusal to shake Miller's hand, but John Prince's report makes the O's boss right as "ref Miller's boobs maintained Leeds' unbeaten record."

The Sunday Times' report carried the headline "Wise's lucky escape" and said that Ling could be justly proud of his side after they came so close to spoiling the afternoon of "30,000 triumphalist fans."

Alan Combes said that Ling spoke with restraint and dignity over Miller's refusal to award Boyd's 'goal', but The Daily Telegraph believe the O's boss could be "brought to book" for his post-match comments.

Phil Shaw wrote that the FA are likely to be "interested by the inference behind Ling's contention that...it was 12 against 10." Shaw also commended Orient's composure, which "contrasted with Leeds' headless-chicken approach."

Richard Jolly of The Guardian said that Ling was "a normally mild-mannered man  driven to the point of apoplexy" by the referee's errors, while The Times reported that Leeds boss Dennis Wise "might want to change his opinion of Nigel Miller" - Wise had asked for the official to be changed in the week before the game.

There was also plenty of praise for the visitors' endeavour and David Anderson wrote in The Daily Mirror that Orient had Leeds "wobbling" before Thornton's dismissal "changed the course of the game."