Leyton Orient 1 AFC Telford 0 - Report and pictures

A valiant Bucks side, backed by a 600 strong away following were in the game throughout in east London.

After a scoreless first period where the Bucks had to dig in, it took Orient until the 54th minute to take the lead as Macauley Bonne turned the ball home.

But the Bucks were always in the game, as Andre Brown and Daniel Udoh both had chances to snatch a leveller in the second half.

On the balance of play the hosts were the better side, and could have wrapped the tie up in the first leg.

But to the credit of Gavin Cowan's charges they showed their gutsy side to leave them them in the tie heading to the New Bucks Head next week.

Andy Wycherley was passed fit to replace the cup tied Josef Bursik in goal, with the Bucks forced into a big change in the centre of the park.

Ellis Deeney, an ever present this season was suspended for the tie, which meant Jon Royle was recalled to partner James McQuilkin in central midfield.

Brendon Daniels was dropped to the bench in place of Steph Morley, with the visitors sticking with the tried and trusted 3-5-2 formation that had helped them in their run to the last four.

The Bucks stroked it around nicely in the opening moments, as they settled into their surroundings against the non-league's highest ranked side.

But it was Justin Edinburgh's National League leaders who had the first golden chance.

Dale Gorman's rasping free kick was parried by Andy Wycherley into the path of striker Macauley Bonne, but he headed wide with the goal gaping.

Cowan's men had settled well, and went close to a chance of their own as Morley's superb cross from the left was inches from finding the head of Daniel Udoh after ten minutes.

That was as much as Morley added to proceedings, as he picked up a knock just 19 minutes into the game forcing him off with Daniels coming on.

Both sides were enjoying spells without looking too dangerous, as former Shrewsbury striker Matty Harrold saw a header saved before glancing one way wide.

Telford certainly weren't being over awed by the occasion, trying to get it down and play in testing swirling east London conditions.

Ten minutes before the break they worked a magnificent move down the right that almost saw them take the lead.

Wycherley's swirling goal kick looked to be sailing out but with two touches Barnett took it down, and nutmegged the full back putting him on the floor.

The winger drove forward with his cross headed out to Knights', whose rasping low shot from 18 yards was blocked.

That almost sprung the game into life, with a bizarre moment just minutes later leading to a guilt edge opportunity for Orient.

Barnett went to clear, but the ball cannoned off one of his own defenders into the path of Gorman.

The midfielder found Jobi McAnuff who unleashed a thunderous shot that Wycherley pushed into the path of Bonne.

But like earlier in the game the striker blazed wide to the dismay of the home crowd.

The striker really could have had a hat-trick in the first period, as deep into injury time he swivelled and smashed over after a McAnuff free kick.

It was a valiant first half display from the Bucks, with Cowan knowing that if his side continued to be compact and resolute then chances would come on the break.

Just minutes into the half and the Bucks had their best chance of the game, that came from nothing thanks to Udoh.

Knights found the striker who took on two defenders and shifted it to his left side, before dragging a shot wide.

However after McAnuff had fizzed a warning shot wide of the mark, the non-league's top side struck as Bonne finally put a chance away.

Nine minutes into the half Jamie Turley crossed from the right, with Harrold nodding it down for Bonne to turn and fire into the corner.

After being tight and solid it would have been a hard goal for Cowan and his men to swallow, given the simplicity of how it was created.

The Bucks went for an immediate reply but Daniels' free kick struck the wall and the visitors struggled to create a clear opening.

It was Orient who were looking the more likely, as the wind was now in their sails after getting their noses in front.

But for all their pressure it was just half chances coming their way as Craig Clay saw a shot saved and James Brophy headed over.

Attacking opportunities were few and far between in the second period for the Bucks, but two excellent ones came their way 15 minutes from time.

First Daniels curled a delightful ball across the face of goal that was begging to be smashed home, only to be turned behind for a corner.

Then from the resulting set piece Shane Sutton headed into the path of substitute Andre Brown, whose goal bound effort was blocked.

Sutton then became the hero at the other end as some last gasp defending kept the score to one.

Brophy hung up a cross with Turley meeting it with a header that top corner bound, however the captain headed off the line.

Into the last ten minutes and the Bucks were beginning to enjoy a good spell, as they looked to level the tie ahead of the second leg.

A free kick was swung back in by Royle and punched out only as far as Knights on the edge of the box, who beat the keeper with his drive but the defenders scrambled back to snuff out the danger.

Then seconds later a mistake allowed Udoh to drive at goal, turning to his left before his low drive was well saved by Dean Brill.

The Bucks finished the stronger but couldn't get leveller on the day but despite being a goal down going into next week they are still bang in this tie.

Key Moments

7 - ORIENT GO CLOSE - First chance of the game and Orient almost take the lead. Gorman's rasping free kick is parried out by Wycherley with Bonne running on to it. He has the whole goal to head home but can only direct it wide. Let off for the Bucks.

36 - BUCKS CHANCE - A swirling goal kick looks to be heading out of play but in one move Barnett takes it down, and turns the full back leaving him eating grass. He drives forward and crosses, with the ball falling to Knights. However the midfielder's shot is blocked and the chance goes.

39 - ANOTHER CHANCE GOES BEGGING - In a bizarre move Barnett goes to clear but the ball cannons off a defender to Gorman, and then falls to McAnuff. His thunderous effort is saved by Wycherley and drops to Bonne, but the striker blazes wide from eight yards.

47 - UDOH CLOSE - Early second half chance for the Bucks. Knights finds Udoh who takes on two and drags a shot wide of Brill's goal.

54 - ORIENT LEAD - Orient finally crack the Bucks defence, and it is a poor one to concede. Turley crosses from the right and Harrold heads it down into the path of Bonne who has time to turn and sweep it home.

74 - DOUBLE CHANCE - First Daniels curls a cross across the face of goal that is begging to be smashed home. It goes for a corner and Sutton nods it down into the path of Brown, but his goal bound effort is saved.

78 - OFF THE LINE - Brophy beats White and hangs up a cross to the back post where Turley meets it with a header. It is sailing into the top corner but Sutton heads it off the line.

84 - BUCKS GO CLOSE - A corner is cleared and put back in by Royle, but the keeper only punches as far as Knights. The midfielder fires at goal it goes through the keeper but the defenders gets back.

86 - LATE CHANCE - A mistake allows Udoh to drive into the box and turn onto his left but his low drive is saved.

Teams

Leyton Orient (4-4-2) - Brill, Ling (Coulson 46), McAnuff, Clay, Bonne, Happe, Brophy, Gorman (Koroma 67), Harrold (Dayton 80), Ekpiteta, Turley

Subs not used - Sargeant,, Alabi

AFC Telford United (3-5-2) - Wycherley, White, Sutton, Streete, Barnett (Smith 81), McQuilkin, Royle, Morley (Daniels 19), Knights, Morgan-Smith (Brown 64), Udoh

Subs not used - Martinez, Lilly,

Referee - David Rock

Attendance - 3,622