Mark Cooper’s third goal in five games rescued a point for Leyton Orient in their London derby against Fulham at Brisbane Road this afternoon.
Fulham goalkeeper Jim Stannard made a string of fine saves to deny Cooper, Lee Harvey and Terry Howard as the O’s made a strong start in east London. But it was the visitors who opened the scoring with one of their first attacks as Andy Sayer fired home a fine right-footed finish to score his fifth goal of the season after Orient’s defence had failed to react to Peter Scott’s flick on.
Cooper continued his outstanding run of goalscoring form by poaching the equaliser five minutes after half time. Howard’s cross from the right was headed down by John Sitton and Cooper beat Stannard with a clinical right-footed drive. The Cottagers finished the stronger as Orient faded after losing Paul Beesley, their record signing from Wigan Athletic, and Harvey to injury but Fulham couldn’t find a winner to secure their first league success at Brisbane Road in three decades.
LEYTON ORIENT: Heald; Howard, Sitton, Beesley (Hoddle 60), Harvey (Smalley 60), Day, Dickenson, Baker, Berry, Hales, Cooper.
GOAL: Cooper (50).
FULHAM: Stannard; Elkins (Vertannes 76), Langley, Marshall, Nebbeling, Scott, Skinner, Barnett, Walker, Milton, Sayer. Subs (not used): Watson.
BOOKED: Walker, Elkins.
GOAL: Sayer (8).
REFEREE: Keith Cooper.
ATTENDANCE: 5,817.
