Leyton Orient - 2 (Minton 28. Houghton 37.)
Crystal Palace - 4 (Morrison 35. 83. Black 56. 86.)

Our cup fixture took us midweek to Brisbane Road to take on Leyton Orient, who we have not played since the cup matches in 1990/91. Bear in mind, this is the competition that we got to the semi-finals of last season, when we crashed to eventual winners Liverpool, though it is very often difficult to overcome these early matches, where the "underdogs" have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Just ask the likes of Rushden & Diamonds this week!

The first thing of note about the Palace line-up was that Clinton Morrison was missing strike partner Dougie Freedman, but it was soon obvious that Tommy Black was to fill this role tonight. As usual the first shot at goal went to our hosts, Jeff Minton's free kick sailing over the bar.

Steve Watts whipped the ball into the centre, but Alex Kolinko was quick enough to cut off the danger, and get his first feel of the ball into the bargain. A corner to the home side caused a mild panic attack, but once again Alex was able to avert the danger of a Jabo Ibehre header. Matt Lockwood then fired in a cross that looked useful; one can be sure that he will be looking to impress Steve Bruce following the transfer speculation of late. A shot from Scott Houghton was well stopped by Alex, and finally the ball made its' way up to the other end of the field, only for Wayne Carlisle to head the ball over the top of the bar.

Tommy then got clear of the defence, but there was no one there to assist him when a mere touch could well have meant an opening goal for the Palace side. Simon Rodger then got a touch on from Clinton, but our shots on goal were few and far between, and appearing somewhat ineffectual. Watts then got a shot at goal, but once again the ball flew over the top. His next shot was a fair bit closer though. The ball hit the woodwork, and despite appeals from the home side that the ball had crossed the line the official waved play-on, and we managed somehow to stay on even terms.

The pressure was starting to tell though, but it was not Palace that was exerting that pressure. A good through ball by Scott Oakes found Jeff Minton lurking, and he made no mistake in opening the scoring, leaving us 1-0 down. Houghton then nearly lobbed the ball over Alex, who somehow managed to get back on his line in the nick of time.

Despite the shock of falling behind the Palace side slowly built up their momentum, and five minutes later they were back on level terms. A good ball from Tommy found Clinton coming straight through, and he lifted the ball over the advancing Ashley Bayes.

Any fair thinking Palace supporter would have thought that the side would have gone on from there to gradually take over the game and put it out of their hosts' reach, but of course we never do things that easy!

Within three minutes of drawing level we were once again behind. Alex managed to charge out of his area when the ball had been inexplicably passed to Houghton well within striking range, and he simply lifted the ball over the keeper to make the scoreline 2-1.

Julian Gray managed to only strike the ball straight to the keeper when he really should have made much more of his shot, and before the crowd knew where they were the half time whistle had sounded, and once more we were back in the sheds, behind on the scoreboard, and once again facing a virtual inevitable "roasting" from the manager during the break.

Whatever it is that Steve says in those little "pep" talks certainly seems to have been working of late.

It was Palace that was first out of the blocks at the resumption of play. Steve Thomson somehow managed to head the ball over the top from a position that it looked almost impossible to miss from. Palace then won a corner, which surprisingly was their first for the night, and though Simon lifted a good ball into the area the follow up shots from Tommy and Aki Riihilahti somehow managed to be forced out of the area by a desperate defence.

Just as things were starting to look bleak for the visitors a goal popped up from nowhere. Clinton and Aki combined well for Clinton to finally take a shot which the keeper could only beat down into the path of Tommy, who made no mistake bringing the scores back to level terms.

Ibehre then had a great chance to restore the lead, but Alex got out far enough to make the striker send his shot wide of the goalmouth. Julian and Tommy then combined with a great move on goal, but the keeper narrowed the angle sufficiently to cause Tommy to shoot wide. Dean Smith then made a solo run on goal, and was somewhat unfortunate to see his shot once again hit the woodwork, before Minton repeated the dose; at this rate someone will break one of those goal posts!

Andrejs Rubins finally managed to get on the pitch, and his first run at goal looked promising before he hit his final shot well wide of the mark. Two more corners for Palace came to nothing, and the visiting fans were starting to become somewhat concerned that this match could well go to extra time and a potential penalty shoot-out. Another attempt by Andrejs was cleared out of the area for a corner, and the cross in found Steve.

His shot was blocked on the line, but as usual Clinton was in the area, and he had the simplest of shots on goal to make the score read Palace 3 Orient 2.

Finally, for the first time in the match, we were ahead and there was only about seven minutes of playing time left. Within three minutes though, Tommy put the match beyond doubt with a great move. He ran at, and through, the defence before simply rounding the keeper and drilling the ball firmly home to double our lead, and effectively shut the shop for the night.

There was little action left in the last few minutes of regular time, or even in time added on, and with three wins from as many attempts Palace fans will now be looking forward to Saturday's match against Forest.

Colin Pryce

Leyton Orient: Ashley Bayes, Matthew Joseph, Matthew Lockwood, Dean Smith, Simon Downer, Andy Harris, Jeff Minton (Steve Castle 72), Scott Oakes, Scott Houghton (Phillip Hadland 83), Steve Watts, Jabo Ibehre.

Substitutes not used: Scott Barrett, Aaron McLean, Kevin Stephens.

Crystal Palace: Alex Kolinko, Dean Austin, Hayden Mullins, Simon Rodger (Gregg Berhalter 54), Julian Gray, Tommy Black, Wayne Carlisle (Andrejs Rubins 71), Aki Riihilahti, Steve Thomson, Clinton Morrison, Tony Popovic.

Substitutes not used: Craig Harrison, Matthew Gregg, Chris Sharpling.

Attendance: 4,290

Referee: Mr K Hill (Royston)