Orient express rolls on as Magpies are defeated

Last updated : 01 January 2006 By Footymad Previewer
A goal from Orient striker Jabo Ibehre on the stroke of half time saw the home side return to winning ways against battling Notts County.

Ibehre's fifth of the season came following a flowing move down the right.

Gary Alexander headed the ball on for the impressive Shane Tudor and the winger's excellent right wing cross was headed home by Ibehre from six yards into the far corner.

It was no more than Orient deserved as they dominated for long periods but couldn't make their pressure count. The visitors failed to register a shot on target in the opening 45 minutes but Orient were little better as the half was littered with off-target attempts.

Ibehre and Joe Keith went close early on with headed efforts for the home side while the nearest County came to a goal in the first half was when Liam Needham's swirling corner grazed the far post but just before the break Orient took a grip on the game and Ibehre and Tudor went close before the all important goal arrived in first half stoppage time.

After the break County threatened on a couple of occasions and Orient were indebted to keeper Glyn Garner who pulled off two excellent saves to deny Needham and Dan Martin but it was County's Kevin Pilkington who was the busiest of the two keepers.

He made a spectacular save from Orients skipper's John Mackie's header following a corner just after the hour and then he blocked an effort from Gary Alexander when the O's top scorer looked odds on to score.

In a final fling County pushed for a late leveller but Orient defended doggedly to secure three precious promotion points to remain in the automatic promotion places and bounce back following their defeat at Wycombe.