Alex draw strength in capital

Crewe Alexandra finally emerged from the capital with a hard-fought point after winger Byron Moore cancelled out Lee Cook's opener in a 1-1 draw at Leyton Orient.

The Alex fell behind when their goalkeeper Steve Phillips could only turn a 26th minute Dean Cox cross towards Cook. But Moore then guided in Luke Murphy's inviting delivery to equalise for them six minutes before the interval.

The visitors were in truth forced to ride their luck on a number of occasions and Phillips blocked early from David Mooney, whose follow-up could only find the side-netting. Mooney then headed against the crossbar and there was a further escape when O's latest signing Charlie McDonald struck the foot of an upright following Mark Ellis misjudging a long ball forward.

Goalkeeper Phillips then did well to snatch a dangerous low cross from Moses Odubajo as Cox waited at the back post. But when the experienced shot-stopper could only divert the supply of Cox towards former QPR winger Cook they slipped into arrears.

His opposite number Jamie Jones had seen little action until skipper Murphy delivered superbly on 39 minutes for Moore to steer in an equaliser with the visitors' first real effort on target. Boosted by that, Moore soon despatched another drive towards the keeper - this time from much great distance as the opening half somehow ended all-square.

Crewe striker Mathias Pogba volleyed over upon the restart after Murphy knocked back from Abdul Osman, while Phillips turned over Mooney's reply before the resulting corner was also scrambled away.

But the visitors were appearing much better during the second period and Kelvin Mellor and Ellis both threatened from crosses inside the home area, while Moore sidefooted directly at keeper Jones following Pogba's assist.

However, Cox struck wide after a slip at the other end and Phillips had to turn behind from goalscorer Cook before Matt Tootle headed off the line from the corner. Alex substitute Ryan Colclough did manage a late attempt towards the keeper but there was to be no further incident and the honours remained shared.

Leyton Orient: Jones, Sawyer, Cuthbert, Baudry (McSweeney 85), Odubajo, Cox, Smith, Cook, James, MacDonald (Obafemi 89), Mooney

subs (unused): Allsopp, Lee, Symes, Lobjoit

Goals: Cook (26)

Crewe Alexandra: Phillips, Mellor, Ellis, Dugdale, Tootle, Murphy, Osman, Inman, M. Clayton (Colclough 86), Pogba, Moore

subs (unused): Martin, Davis, Turton, Robertson, Aneke, Leitch-Smith

Goals: Moore (39)

Ref: S. Martin

Att: 3,755

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