Tigers bite back to force replay against impressive Orient

Hull City scored deep into second-half stoppage time to save their blushes after being completely outplayed by Leyton Orient in round three.

The League One side dominated for long periods against their hosts – sitting second in the Championship – and looked to be headed for round four when David Mooney netted his ninth goal in 10 games.

But as the crowds began to exit and the O’s fans prepared to cheer a famous victory striker Nick Proschwitz netted to earn his team a replay.

Orient manager Russell Slade was able to call on the services of his star striker Kevin Lisbie once more, after the Jamaican missed the 3-0 humbling at Yeovil Town on New Year’s Day.

The visitors enjoyed the first meaningful foray forwards in the opening 60 seconds, but midfielder Dean Cox dragged a low shot wide across goal.

It took nine minutes for Hull – who made nine changes to their side following their goalless draw with Blackpool last time out – to get in behind Orient’s resilient back four, but Proschwitz shot wide under pressure from defender Mathieu Baudry.

Midway through the first half Orient went close to opening the scoring when left-back Leon McSweeney shot from 25 yards on his favoured right foot and forced goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic to tip over.

The visitors continued to enjoy the lion’s share of possession as the first half continued, with only their final ball letting them down time and again after good, methodical periods of play.

The Tigers, meanwhile, lacked bite at the other end with Baudry imperious at the heart of defence, as Hull player-maker Seyi Olofinjana grew increasingly frustrated at being unable to thread balls through to the front two.

Orient twice went close as half-time approached, but Lisbie lashed over the top following a slick, short passing move and Lee Cook could only fire straight at Jakupovic from close range.

Hull made a purposeful start to the second half, but still failed to test O’s stopper Jamie Jones.

Meanwhile, Cook was again thwarted by Jakupovic, who made a comfortable catch from the midfielder’s 20-yard strike.

Hull’s first period of notable pressure came midway through the second half, but Tom Cairney and Olofinjana both had powerful shots blocked by Moses Odubajo and Baudry respectively.

It took 70 minutes for the Tigers to test O’s keeper Jones, but Paul McShane’s header from Andy Dawson’s left-wing cross required only a straightforward catch.

The visitors had strong claims for a penalty waved away on 72 minutes by referee Iain Williamson after Alex Bruce appeared to drag down Mooney inside the box.

But on 78 minutes the pressure finally told as Cox breezed away from Dawson on the right-flank and delivered a fine cross for Mooney to head in at the near post.

Hull put up little fight afterwards, though Proschwitz was denied from inside the box by the strong hand of Jones.

But Hull finally gave their supporters something to cheer when Proschwitz headed in Cairney’s cross in second-half stoppage time to force the replay.

Hull: Jakupovic, Rosenior, Bruce, McShane, Dawson, Stewart (Cullen 90), McKenna (Wilson 76), Cairney, Olofinjana, Simpson, Proschwitz. Subs not used: Cracknell, Chester, Hobbs, Evans, Quinn.

Orient: Jones, Odubajo, Chorley, Baudry, McSweeney, Cox (J Smith 88), Rowlands, James, Cook, Mooney, Lisbie. Subs not used: Allsop, Sawyer, Cuthbert, Griffith, Symes, Brunt.

Attendance: 8,585