League One: Notts County 0 Leyton Orient 0

Orient were held to their first goalless draw by League One basement boys Notts County.

On a bog of a pitch at Meadow Lane clear chances were at a premium with Chris Dagnall having the best of them for the O’s.

Top scorer David Mooney was out with bruised ribs and Dagnall replaced him in the only change from the win over Colchester.

That meant there was a place on the bench for Jamar Loza, whose loan from Norwich was due to expire today.

The Magpies lost 6-0 to Rotherham last weekend and it was no surprise that the home side started the game strongly.

New loan signing Nathan Tyson had a chance as early as the second minute after a Scott Cuthbert mistake but fired over the bar.

Gary Liddle and captain Alan Sheehan also tested Jakupovic but the Bosnian was equal to both efforts.

The O’s gradually grew into the game and Dagnall had their first effort on goal with 17 minutes on the clock but he scuffed a shot straight at Bartosz Bialkowski from Nathan Clarke’s long throw.

Moses Odubajo hit the bar but the referee had already blown for a foul by Cox, who fired over after a wonderfully flowing move.

Dagnall also headed over but County were a constant threat on the break, notably through former Orient winger Jamal Campbell-Ryce who gave Gary Sawyer a torrid time.

Jakupovic, who has conceded three goals in nine Orient games, had to be alert to deny Tyson after Clarke’s weak back header.

The O’s improved in the second half, but their best chance came from a Romain Vincelot cross-shot which almost deceived Bialkowski, although the Pole recovered his position to tip it behind.

Cox also fired straight at the hosts’ goalkeeper but the best chance of the half fell to that man Campbell-Ryce, who volleyed wide from Tyson’s cross.

The visitors beat County 5-1 at Brisbane Road earlier this season but this was a far tougher contest, and they had to settle for a point.

Wolves beat Walsall to move two points clear at the top of the table and Brentford’s win against Bradford means there is only one point separating the two London rivals.

Orient: Jakupovic; Omozusi, Cuthbert, Clarke, Sawyer; Odubajo, Vincelot, James, Cox; Dagnall (Batt 71), Lisbie. Substitute: Larkins, Lasimant, Bartley, Loza, Simpson, Ness.