Brighton scrapped through to the third round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy after an unimpressive encounter.

A bright start saw Anyinsah, who partnered Virgo in attack, bundled down inthe box after four minutes to give Albion a penalty. With Murray and Forster both injured Virgo stepped up and put the home side one up.

Brighton looked the stronger team and it looked as this was going to be a walk in the park especially when Anyinsah outmuscled the defence to slot the ball home and make it 2-0 after 14 minutes.

Albion then nearly made it 3-0 after a comedy error by Orient's goalie. He slipped as the ball was rolling towards him, it then went past him rolling towards the net, but he got back in time to push it wide of the post.

After this Albion took their foot off the gas and were made to pay on 21 minutes when good play on the left saw a cross put into to Jarvis who rose highest to score. 2-1.

The second half saw Orient dominate. Albion were clumsy in midfield and shaky in defence, it was inevitable that they were to concede, and it happened in the 72nd minute. A silly tackle from Hawkins in the box saw the referee award a penalty to Orient, and Boyd stepped up to make it 2-2. Orient still dominated after this but couldn't find a way through so it was time for penalties:


Orient won the toss and took the first penalty.


Gray: Smashed it over the bar 0-0
Savage: Saved by the keeper 0-0
Demetriou: Scored 1-0
Elphick: Scored 1-1
Terry: Scored 2-1
Thornton: Scored 2-2
Palmer: Scored 3-2
Virgo: Saved by keeper. Referee orders a retake as he moved off his line.


Virgo retake: Scored 3-3
Boyd: scored 4-3
Richards: scored 4-4

SUDDEN DEATH
Ashworth: Saved by keeper 4-4
El Abd: Scored 5-4

Good to win at home but not the greatest performance.

My player ratings:

Kuipers 6
Whing 6
Elphick 5
Hawkins 5
Richards 5
Thornton 6
Savage 6
El Abd 5
Cox 5
Virgo 6
Anyinsah 7

Robinson 5

Forster has been sidelined for six weeks after damaging his knee - I hope he gets better soon. We definitely need a loan player now but looks like Murray will be in for Saturday against Leeds. I'm going for a 1-1 draw with Murray scoring.