In a dramatic turn of events at Sixfields, Shaq Forde played the role of a hero by securing a last-minute draw for Leyton Orient against 10-man Northampton. The visitors took an early lead thanks to Rob Hunt’s first goal for the club, but Northampton quickly struck back with two goals early in the second half. The tension escalated when Kieron Bowie was shown a red card. However, in the sixth minute of extra time, Richie Wellens’ side managed to salvage a share of the points.
Ed Turns and Aaron Drinan were included in Leyton Orient’s starting lineup, with Joe Pigott and Theo Archibald named as substitutes. The O’s faced early pressure as the Cobblers earned a couple of corners, and Ed Turns courageously blocked a shot with his head after a defensive slip.
Dan Happe received a yellow card for a foul on Sam Hoskins in the 10th minute, and Marc Leonard forced a save from Sol Brynn at his near post. However, Leyton Orient took the lead in the 14th minute when Rob Hunt’s angled shot from the right side of the box found the bottom corner of the net.
Brandon Cooper was shown a yellow card for a foul on Hoskins shortly after, and Jordan Graham set up Idris El Mizouni, but his shot was saved by Lee Burge. El Mizouni had another attempt that Burge spilled in the 21st minute, but the hosts managed to clear the loose ball as Drinan tried to capitalize.
Hoskins then sent a shot from a low cross over the bar at the other end as Northampton sought a response. Hunt conceded a corner as Kieron Bowie attempted to convert at the far post in the 33rd minute. Nevertheless, Brynn, in the visiting goal, remained mostly untroubled, despite Leyton Orient having limited possession towards the end of the first half.
Drinan performed admirably to win possession and set up El Mizouni four minutes before half-time, but Burge managed to save his effort from the edge of the box. In another impressive move, Leyton Orient found Galbraith, who set up Drinan, but Graham’s shot narrowly missed the target.
Just four minutes into the second half, Northampton leveled the score after breaking upfield from an O’s corner, and Hoskins saw his shot deflect over Brynn. They were awarded a penalty in the 51st minute, and Hoskins converted from the spot to complete a quick turnaround.
Cooper headed over from a corner as Leyton Orient tried to mount a comeback. The home side’s woes continued when Bowie was shown a straight red card in the 58th minute, reducing them to 10 men. Cooper fired over the bar when Hunt’s shot fell to him in the 64th minute as Leyton Orient attempted to capitalize on their numerical advantage.
Hunt was substituted for Archibald in the first change for the visitors, with Pigott replacing El Mizouni moments later. Ruel Sotiriou headed wide from Graham’s cross. Brynn made a crucial save to deny Leonard a third Northampton goal in the 69th minute, with Pigott’s effort ruled out for handball.
With 17 minutes remaining, Wellens made a double substitution, bringing in Forde and Tom James for Drinan and Happe. Sotiriou forced a fine save from Burge, and Archibald fired wide. Burge was booked for time-wasting during a goal kick but managed to make a double save to deny Sotiriou and Jordan Brown in the 87th minute, after Pigott had fired wide.
In injury time, James and Graham missed the target with high and wide shots before Shaq Forde squeezed the ball home in the 96th minute after Graham kept his footing and delivered it into the danger zone.
Leyton Orient’s lineup included Brynn, Cooper, Happe (substituted for James in the 73rd minute), Turns, Hunt (substituted for Archibald in the 65th minute), Galbraith, Brown, El Mizouni (substituted for Pigott in the 66th minute), Graham, Drinan (substituted for Forde in the 73rd minute), and Sotiriou. Unused substitutes for Leyton Orient were Sweeney, Howes, and Moncur.
The match had an attendance of 6,193, including 716 Leyton Orient fans.
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