A draw was a fair result in this clash which failed to live up to fans' expectations.

A tight encounter saw Brighton and hosts Orient cancel each other out, with chances at a premium for both sides.

The result will satisfy Orient, keen to lay to rest memories of the pasting inflicted by the visitors in the reverse fixture on new year's day.

This match was a great a contrast to that day as possible, and Orient nudge up one spot in League One to 15th place.

Keeper Jamie Jones was hardly troubled. The Seagulls had a grand total of two shots on target, the second one on 90 minutes.

Orient held their own against the table toppers and matched them in chances made.

Now it is one defeat in 16 for the east London outfit.

Alex Revell had Orient's first sniff of goal when he curled a shot just past the post, on seven minutes.

Dean Cox livened up a dull game with a speculative curler on the half hour mark which drew a fingertip save from stopper Casper Ankergen.

A blow hit Orient inside the first ten minutes when Adam Chambers was forced off injured.

Stephen Dawson came on despite still feeling the lingering effects of a dead leg.

Precious little action during the opening stages saw the game contested in the midfield, and neither evenly matched side could forge a break-through.

An error by skipper Ben Chorley saw Brighton surge forward and Glenn Murray test keeper Jamie Jones from 10 yards, Chorley was tackled when he decided to try and make something happen with a dribble of his own.

Orient started with greater purpose in the second half, which later saw a debut for new signing Jason Crowe.

He impressed and almost made an instant impact with a surging run into the box, but dragged his pass behind the on-rushing Dean Cox.

Charlie Daniels flashed a ball across the face of goal on 50 minutes. Then Téhoué blasted straight at Ankergren from a tight angle in a action-packed start to the second half.

Seagulls danger man Elliot Bennett went so close on 50 minutes after a superbly timed run put him through. His low shot beat Jones and rolled just past the post.

Brighton play a slick passing game under boss Gus Poyet, but there was little evidence of it here.

The hosts edged the midfield battle and strung together passing moves of their own, but without troubling Ankergren.

The game settled into a familiar pattern after a frenetic start to the seconf half. Paul Jose Mpoku enlivened proceedings when he replaced Téhoué.

The Spurs loanee showed flashes of skill to work an opening but blasted high and wide on 65 minutes.

At the other end, Craig Noone curled over on 73 minutes.

This was a result which should suit the hosts very well. The biggest surprise may be that Orient failed to find the net at home.

Jones (gk), Whing, Chorley (capt), Forbes, Cox, Chambers (Dawson 7), Revell, Daniels, Spring (Crowe 73), Téhoué (Mpoku 60), Smith.

Unused subs: Dawson, Butcher (gk), Butcher (gk), Jarvis, Carroll, Kane.

Attendance: 5,872 including 1,955 Brighton fans