By Will Jago, at Culver Road

Albion reserves were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Leyton Orient in the Totesport.com Combination League, despite a late surge of chances from Bob Booker's side trying to maintain their 100 per cent home record.

Kevin McLeod and George Barker both had one-on-one chances to snatch all three points inside the final five minutes tonight, but Orient keeper Lee Butcher did well to block on both occasions to keep the scoreline level.

Charlie Oatway told seagulls.co.uk, "It was a shame not to get the winner at the end there, but over all it was probably a fair result. We defended quite well, restricting them to long-range chances and everyone worked hard and conducted themselves very well tonight."

Albion took the lead in the 17th minute through a moment of brilliance by trialist Gary Roberts, picking the ball up in midfield before clinically curling a shot into the top corner of the Orient goal from 30 yards.

The Seagulls were unlucky not to double their lead before half time, as McLeod's out-swinging corner was met by a powerful header from Steve Cook, beating keeper Butcher, but the ball was scrambled away off the line by the O's defence.

A great save from Graeme Smith maintained Albion's advantage, denying Jake Argent from six yards out with his legs.

McLeod also came close to getting his name on the score sheet after Barker cut open the defence with a great pass. The midfielder struck low and across the keeper, but shaved the wrong side of the post.

Orient emerged for the second half pushing for an equaliser, and were rewarded in the 51st minute with another superb long-range effort, as Harry Baker found space on the edge of the Albion area and struck a powerful right-footed drive.

Smith managed to get a hand to the ball, but could not prevent it from crossing the line.

Albion: (4-4-2) G Smith: Ide, Livermore (Hall 46), Cook, Dunk: Jamie Smith, Roberts (Brinkhurst 65), Navarro, McLeod: Abdullai, Baker: Subs not used: Pelling, Thomson, James Smith.