Leyton Orient 2 Millwall 0

Last updated : 09 August 2006 By Footymad Previewer
Leyton Orient opened their League One points tally with a 2-0 London derby win against Millwall as strikers Lee Steel Gary Alexander both hit the target at Brisbane Road.

Steele scored just before the break and Alexander wrapped up the points near the end against a gallant Millwall side, who played for 86 minutes with just 10 men after having Tony Craig sent off.

In a dramatic opening Orient defender Matt Lockwood swept a ball out to the right and visiting defender Craig caught Shane Tudor with a wild challenge that prompted referee Lee Probert to pull out a red card.

Brave Millwall stuck to their task as Orient tried to make their extra man count and Alexander and Adam Tann both had chances. However the Lions' misery continued when Darren Byfield was stretchered off after just 20 minutes to be replaced by Poul Hubertz.

The O's continued to dictate and Millwall keeper Lenny Pidgeley did well to save a Michael Simpson header, before denying Alexander with a smart stop moments later.

Orient looked to have taken the lead on 38 minutes when Steele raced on to Simpson's through ball and beat Pidgeley to score - but referee Probert ruled that the keeper had been fouled.

However on the stroke on half time, Zac Whitbread's ball was intercepted by Simpson who fed Steele and he calmly slotted the ball into the net.

After the interval Orient were rarely threatened as they made their extra man count.
Skipper John Machie headed over before Millwall dug deep and had their moments when Marvin Williams saw an effort scrambled off the line and then substitute Filipe Morais shaved the post with a 20-yard drive.

O's put their foot on the gas in the closing stages and Tudor almost scored but was denied by Pidgeley. However 12 minutes from time it was Tudor who wriggled down the right and set up last season's top scorer Alexander to fire home his first of this campaign from 12 yards.