Bristol Rovers 3
Leyton Orient 3
(League Two)

ORIENT recovered from a dreadful first half to play their part in an unbelievable 3-3 draw, writes Leo Tyrie.

The visitors looked dead and buried on the stroke of half-time when, at 1-0 down, they conceded a penalty.

A second goal for the dominant Rovers would surely have killed the game off but Glyn Garner flung himself to his left to save Junior Agogo's effort.

O's, who introduced Adam Tann and Jabo Ibehre at the interval, took heart and scored three goals in 17 minutes at the start of the second half on Tuesday night.

But Rovers twice pegged them back, via the penalty spot for the final equaliser, and the points were shared.

A breathless Martin Ling said: "It was a super second half from us but the word for the first half performance is rubbish'.

"You wouldn't want to hear what was said at half time. But the substitutions worked as Jabo scored a brace and Adam Tann steadied the ship at right back."

O's were dire in the opening period and should have trailed by more than Agogo's 14th minute strike, which came as a result of a defence-splitting ball from Sammy Igoe.

The same player volleyed inches wide and had another shot blocked by Matt Lockwood before being given the perfect opportunity to double the lead when Justin Miller fouled Stuart Campbell in the box. Garner made his third penalty save of the month.

It was the boost that Orient needed and, helped by the introduction of Ibehre, they were soon level.

It only took 90 seconds for the second half sub to find the net when he collected a Lockwood free kick, turned goalwards and lashed home from ten yards.

He repeated the trick ten minutes later, when he ran onto Daryl McMahon's lofted ball forward, held off Steve Elliott and lobbed Scott Shearer.

Craig Disley's looping header soon cut short their celebrations but the visitors were back in front when Shane Tudor collected a crossfield ball from Gary Alexander and crossed for Michael Simpson to glance a header home.

The drama wasn't to end there as with 19 minutes remaining Rovers were awarded a second penalty when referee Kevin Friend deemed John Mackie had climbed on Christian Edwards at a corner.

Richard Walker drilled the spot kick down the middle of the goal to secure a point.

* Leicester are reported to want O's boss Martin Ling as a possible replacement for the sacked Craig Levein.