Leyton Orient draw positives from point at Grimsby Town

Charlie Kelman fired the League Two leaders in front, only to see the hosts score twice in quick succession after the break.

Substitute George Moncur then levelled things up once again and Lawrence Vigouroux saved a penalty to ensure the points were shared.

Kelman came into the starting line-up in place of the injured Aaron Drinan, in the only change from the previous weekend.

And Idris El Mizouni, seven days on from his matchwinner against Crawley Town, had a first-minute shot blocked by the home defence before Max Crocombe scooped up the ball.

Kelman played in Kieran Sadlier on four minutes, but his low shot was saved by Crocombe, while Alex Hunt sliced Grimsby’s first chance wide moments later.

More good build-up play from O’s ended with Tom James seeing a dangerous-looking cross headed back to Crocombe by Michee Efete, before the breakthrough came on 25 minutes, as Ruel Sotiriou picked out Kelman and he produced a fine first touch, before firing home.

The visitors had to weather a spell of pressure from the Mariners around the half-hour mark, then broke in numbers just before half-time and saw Sadlier’s cross blocked.

Gavan Holohan fired harmlessly wide in stoppage time as O’s remained in front at the break, but the hosts were back on level terms at the start of the second half, as John McAtee converted from close range.

And things got worse for O’s on 52 minutes as George Lloyd capitalised on a loose pass and beat Vigouroux to put Grimsby ahead.

Vigouroux saved from Anthony Driscoll-Glennon, before Richie Wellens made a triple substitution, sending on Darren Pratley, George Moncur and Adam Thompson for Craig Clay, Sadlier and James.

And O’s went close to levelling on the hour when Kelman broke through and found Theo Archibald, whose dipping effort flew just wide.

Only a stunning tackle by Niall Maher prevented Kelman from escaping through on goal after pouncing on a loose pass, but the visitors squared matters after a lengthy delay when Luke Waterfall went down as Sotiriou chased the ball down and found Moncur, who produced a fine finish into the bottom corner.

And when Grimsby were awarded a penalty with a quarter of an hour remaining, Vigouroux pulled off a superb save to his left to keep out Driscoll-Glennon’s spot-kick.

El Mizouni went down with a head injury on 83 minutes, but was able to continue after receiving some treatment, before Kelman made way for Paul Smyth in a late swap.

And Smyth saw an effort held by Crocombe, after finding space on the left, during seven minutes of injury time as honours finished even.

Leyton Orient: Vigouroux, James (Thompson 56), Clay (Pratley 56), Sotiriou, Archibald, El Mizouni, Beckles, Kelman (Smyth 86), Sweeney, Sadlier (Moncur 56), Turns. Unused subs: Byrne, Ogie, Sodje.