Tranmere Rovers 1 - 1 Leyton Orient
FA Cup sponsored by E.ON Round One

ORIENT and Tranmere will need a replay to settle their FA Cup first round tie after the struggling Merseysiders came from behind to hold Geraint Williams' side to a 1-1 draw at Prenton Park.

Luke Ashworth scored his first career goal to give the O's an early lead, but the Londoners struggled to get going on an uninspiring afternoon and Tranmere gradually fought their was back into the contest.

It took a fortuitous goal for the home side to earn a replay - Chris Shuker's 51st minute shot took a heavy deflection off Sean Thornton - but Tranmere deserve a second crack at the O's.

Former Tranmere man Thornton made an instant impact on his return to the side following a knee injury, swinging over a seventh minute corner for Ashworth to crash home a header at the near post.

There was a very subdued atmosphere around Prenton Park, but the home supporters' mood should have been lifted nine minutes later when Shuker wriggled clear on the edge of the box. His shot was too close to Glenn Morris though, and Michael Ricketts failed to connect with the rebound.

With 21 minutes on the clock Morris fielded a long range John Welsh effort that was directed straight at him, while at the other end Ashworth flicked an inswinging Thornton free kick wide of the mark five minutes before the break.

Two minutes later Charlie Daniels drilled a left-footed shot wide of the mark from 25 yards after receiving a short free kick from Thornton.

This brief flurry of activity produced one more chance - and again it was one Shuker should have taken - as he took advantage of Ricketts' flick on to run into space inside the area. Once more, Morris was equal to the task, clutching the ball as he dived to his left.

Six minutes after the break Tranmere levelled the scores when Chris Curran's good work released Shuker in the left hand corner of the box and his cross-shot cannoned off Thornton and left Morris helpless in the O's goal.

Two minutes later Morris displayed excellent reflexes to prevent Curran's well-executed overhead kick from giving the hosts the lead and Orient needed to steady the ship.

Tranmere were looking the more likely winners in the second period and another overhead kick from Curran went over the top on 73.

Loick Pires shot wide five minutes from time in a rare O's attack and Tranmere keeper Luke Daniels made an injury time stop from Jason Demetriou, but there was no way through for a second and a replay will now be required.

Tranmere: Daniels; Logan, Taylor, Goodison, Bakayogo; Edds, Welsh, Mahon; Curran, Ricketts, Shuker
Subs: Cresswell, McLaren, Broomes, Thomas-Moore, Collister (GK), Gornell, Fraughan

Goal: Thornton og 51

Booked: Logan

Leyton Orient: Morris; Purches, Chorley, Ashworth, Daniels; Demetriou, Thornton, Smith, Pires; McGleish, Patulea (Jarvis 68)
Subs: Jones (GK), Cave-Brown, Baker, Scowcroft, Beautyman

Goal: Ashworth 7

Booked: Chorley, Smith

Referee: Oliver Langford

Attendance: 3,180