Leyton Orient0

Rushden and Diamonds0

(League Division Three)

THERE has been little to cheer about at Brisbane Road this season and Orient boss Paul Brush was pleased to see it stay that way on Saturday, as Rushden came in search of a win that would have seen them crowned Third Division champions.

Rumours had filtered through to the O's manager before kick-off that the large travelling band of Diamonds fans on the North Terrace had already planned to celebrate a great season had they secured a victory.

So with that incentive thrust under their noses by Brush, the Orient players withstood some strong pressure to secure a rare clean sheet.

Talking after the game Brush said: "I didn't want to see anyone celebrate at our ground apart from us, because we were told what might happen afterwards but this is our ground and we don't want anyone other than our people celebrating here.

"I think it was a point gained but as we learnt when we played at there ground, you have to battle against them.

"It was a welcome change to keep a clean sheet, because Rushden were very threatening on crosses, but some of our defending was good and I'm pleased for Glenn Morris to keep a clean sheet."

In fact the O's, who only managed to create a couple of chances of note during the whole game, looked far more solid at the back under the influential guidance of new skipper Greg Heald.

Chris Tate had Orient's first chance of the afternoon on three minutes with his flicking header that just cleared the bar, but apart from that and Matt Brazier's brilliant opening on 23 minutes that was well created by Ciaran Toner and Justin Miller that only served to bring a tame shot from the home midfielder, all the other action was at the other end.

The visitors' intentions were clearly set-out with an effort from Stuart Gray in the opening minute.

But despite all their possession they could only carve out a couple of real scoring opportunities through David Bell and Duane Darby, who first missed a glaring first half header, before O's stopper Morris produced a brilliant injury time save from the Rushden striker to earn the east Londoners a hard fought point that will give them encouragement for next season.

ORIENT: Morris, Joseph, Heald, Turner, Lockwood, Purser, Toner, Miller (Harris 68), Brazier (Fletcher 65), Tate, Alexander. Unused subs: Harrison, Thorpe, Martin.

May 1, 2003 10:30