Leyton Orient 4 - 4 Aldershot Town
totesport.com Combination Central Division
JAKE ARGENT scored a hat-trick as Orient's reserves ended their totesport.com Combinaton campaign with an action-packed 4-4 draw against Aldershot Town.
Argent, who was this week offered his first professional contract, bagged his treble before the break as both sides went goal crazy.
But Aldershot's George Landais scored a hat-trick of his own to ensure the points would be shared.
Orient started well and went close when Argent latched onto Michael Richardson's lofted pass but couldn't hit the target.
Then with six minutes on the clock Harry Beautyman drilled wide from 20 yards after being teed up by Argent.
But Aldershot were first to strike when Josh Pearson got clear to confidently finish with 10 minutes gone.
The O's were level within seven minutes though, as they broke following an Aldershot corner and schoolboy Billy Lobjoit played Argent through for the O's striker to find the net.
Lobjoit himself was on the scoresheet on 20 minutes to make it a swift turnaround and edge Orient in front.
Then, Argent made it three goals in five minutes when his trickery caused the visitors to panic and he was felled by Dan Smith inside the box, before dusting himself off to bury the spot kick.
Aldershot quickly reduced the arrears, with Landais finishing when one-on-one on 34, before the same player drew them level two minutes before the interval.
But the first half goalscoring wasn't finished there, and Argent showed great skill to work himself clear and find the top corner for his hat trick right on the stroke of the interval.
The second half didn't bring the same amount of goalmouth incident, but Orient's Stephen O'Hara did have to clear off the line on 49.
Landais headed over for the Shots, and Aldershot were given their chance to level three minutes from time when trialist Jordan Parkes was sent off for the second time in as many games for fouling Carlton Cox inside the box.
Landais made no mistake from the spot as Orient were forced to settle for a draw from their final reserve game of the season.
Orient: Jack Giddens; Jordan Parkes, Stephen O'Hara, Jack Cawley, Michael Richardson (Callum Compton 46); Harry Beautyman, Keiron St Amie, Ross Dedman, Moses Odubajo; Billy Lobjoit (George Porter 46 (Tom Lovelock 82)), Jake Argent
