Orient miss out on top spot
Brighton twice come from behind to frustrate hosts
By Peter Fraser. Last Updated: November 17, 2007 2:36pm
Cox: Brighton hero
Leyton Orient missed the chance to return to the top of the League One table as they were held to a 2-2 draw with Brighton in Saturday's early kick-off at the Matchroom Stadium.
With Carlisle and Nottingham Forest not in action, Orient had the opportunity to regain top spot but Brighton twice came from behind to frustrate their hosts.
Orient striker Wayne Gray opened the scoring when he volleyed past Brighton shot-stopper Michel Kuipers on 27 minutes after a good build up involving Sean Thornton and Adam Boyd.
On the stroke of half-time Brighton thought they had an equaliser when their captain Dean Hammond headed in, but he was harshly adjudged to have fouled Alton Thelwell in the build up.
After the interval, though, the visitors were to restore parity when Nicky Forster netted on 68 minutes after Orient goalkeeper Stuart Nelson had allowed the Brighton forward's long range effort to sneak in.
But, two minutes later Jason Demetriou deftly curled in to put Orient back in front and restore hopes of a place at the pinnacle of the table.
However, with 15 minutes remaining Orient - who move up to second - again failed to defend their lead when Dean Cox took advantage of confusion in the home side's 18-yard area to nod in.
Gray had the chance to steal the points in added time, but Kuipers saved the striker's close-range effort well with his feet.
Matches
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npower League 1
Table
npower League 1
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Doncaster Rovers | 46 | 84 |
| 2 | Bournemouth | 46 | 83 |
| 3 | Brentford | 46 | 79 |
| 4 | Yeovil Town | 46 | 77 |
| 5 | Sheffield United | 46 | 75 |
| 6 | Swindon Town | 46 | 74 |
| 7 | Leyton Orient | 46 | 71 |
| 8 | Milton Keynes Dons | 46 | 70 |
| 9 | Walsall | 46 | 68 |
| 10 | Crawley Town | 46 | 68 |
| 11 | Tranmere Rovers | 46 | 67 |
| 12 | Notts County | 46 | 65 |
| 13 | Crewe Alexandra | 46 | 64 |
| 14 | Preston North End | 46 | 59 |
| 15 | Coventry City | 46 | 55 |
| 16 | Shrewsbury Town | 46 | 55 |
| 17 | Carlisle United | 46 | 55 |
| 18 | Stevenage | 46 | 54 |
| 19 | Oldham Athletic | 46 | 51 |
| 20 | Colchester United | 46 | 51 |
| 21 | Scunthorpe United | 46 | 48 |
| 22 | Bury | 46 | 41 |
| 23 | Hartlepool United | 46 | 41 |
| 24 | Portsmouth | 46 | 32 |
