Leyton Orient 2 - 2 Bristol Rovers
Puma Youth Alliance Cup Southern Section Quarter-Final
Leyton Orient won 4-2 on penalties

DANIEL BYGRAVE saved two penalties in a tense shootout victory over Bristol Rovers to book Orient's place in the southern area semi-finals of the Puma Youth Alliance Cup.

Bygrave, who also saved a spot kick in Saturday's league draw against Wycombe, was brought off the bench especially for the shootout, and he responded by making two fantastic saves.

All four of Orient's penalty takers - Jake Argent, Adam Bolle, Elliott Babbs and Harry Baker - were successful as the O's moved closer to their first appearance in the final of this competition since 2001.

The score at the end of normai time was 2-2, as both sides had spells in the lead with Orient hitting back late on through the influential Baker.

Following a scrappy start to the contest, Orient were the first to go close when Baker's 25-yard free kick thudded against the foot of the post with 26 minutes on the clock.

Four minutes later, Wayne Burnett's side established a lead when Baker made his way to the by-line down the right and cut the ball back for Bolle to slam home from close range.

Bolle turned and hooked a shot wide shortly afterwards as the O's looked for more, but they couldn't build on their lead before the interval.

Rovers had barely threatened, but they found themselves level on 53 when a free kick was delivered from the left, leaving O's stopper Jack Giddens exposed for the header in the middle.

The visitors quickly added to their tally, making it 2-1 after 64 minutes when the O's failed to deal with a ball over the top, allowing the Rovers striker to steal in behind and thump home.

It was a blow to the home side, who had controlled much of the contest, but they regrouped and forced an equaliser with just 12 minutes left to play.

Daryl Sydes got the move started, threading a through ball to Argent in the right channel.  His low cross looked set to pick out Bolle in the middle, and although the Rovers keeper's touch took it away from Bolle, Baker was steaming in from the left to produce a composed finish.

Penalties were ultimately needed to settle the tie and it was Orient - and Bygrave in particular - who kept their nerve to secure victory.

Orient: Jack Giddens (Daniel Bygrave 90); Brandon Martin, Josh Millwood, Elliott Babbs, Ryan Nelson (Harry Beautyman 90); Harry Baker, Joe Boakye, Daryl Sydes, Musa Manneh; Adam Bolle, Jake Argent