Oldham Athletic 1 Leyton Orient 1

SCOTT McGLEISH fired home his fourth goal of the season to earn Orient a vital point at Oldham on Saturday.

The 36-year-old striker, who replaced Ryan Jarvis on the hour, struck 11 minutes from time to cancel out Chris Taylor’s 41st-minute strike, when he bundled home a corner from Charlie Daniels at the far post, after the home side failed to clear.

But Orient’s joy was tempered by an injury to goalkeeper Jamie Jones, who limped off just before half-time with a groin problem, to be replaced by 21-year-old Lee Butcher, who made came on to make his league debut.

The former Tottenham goalkeeper made an instant impression and prevented the home side going further ahead with a smart save from Oumare Tounkara and then denied Taylor to ensure that the O’s returned home with a point.

However, the point was not enough to prevent Orient slipping into the bottom four, even though Russell Slade’s side are now unbeaten in three games.

The O’s boss decided to play Alex Revell up front in the first half, in a 4-5-1 formation and after a quiet opening Jarvis and Matt Spring both went close with first-half efforts.

But Orient were rocked four minutes before the break when Taylor broke the deadlock for the home side and then, minutes later, Jones limped out of the action.

After the break Orient reverted to a 4-4-2 formation in a bid to get back in the game, but it was Oldham who could have wrapped things up when Dale Stephens had a great opportunity from 12 yards out but blasted an effort over the bar on 71 minutes.

It was a costly miss, as McGleish levelled things up 11 minutes from time with the 194th league goal of his career – and needs just six more to reach the magical 200 mark.

But the veteran forward was not the only hero, as Butcher made a great save from Jean-Yves M’Voto late in the game to ensure Orient returned home with something tangible to show for their efforts.

After the game boss Slade was pleased with his rookie keeper and said: “He made two great saves. I’m really pleased for him, because he came on in a difficult situation and did really well.”

Butcher looks set to keep his place for Tuesday’s Johnstone’s Paints Trophy game against Brentford, as Jones is struggling with a groin problem.

Slade added: “I think it’s a point gained. Whenever you’re 1-0 down away from home for a long period of the game, to come back and get a share of the spoils is very good.”

Orient: Jones (Butcher 44 mins), Omozusi, Forbes, Chorley, Daniels; Jarvis (McGleish 60 mins), Dawson, Spring, Chambers (Smith 86 mins), Cox; Revell. Subs: Brown, Cestor, Walker, M’Poku.

Orient booking: Chorley.

Attendance: 3,806 (in 144 Orient fans)