Leyton Orient v Scunthorpe United, 12 September 2000

Although still unbeaten in 2000/01, rejuvenated Leyton Orient had to settle for their third Division Three draw in a row as Scunthorpe bounced back from their weekend setback at York City. After a dreadful opening to last season, the Os are enjoying their best start since their 1969/70 old Third Division Championship success. 31 years later, it could have been even better but for a stout defensive display from the Lincolnshire visitors. Orient's early pressure was rewarded when Carl Griffiths dummied John Martin's pass; as the ball ran on to Richard Garcia, the West Ham United loanee was felled by the recovering Russ Wilcox's crude challenge. Matt Lockwood stepped up to strike his shot straight down the middle to convert his third spot kick of the term. Spirited Scunny's response also centred around the West Ham connection. Former Hammer Lee Hodges gained possession in the centre circle and, under minimal challenge, progressed to the edge of the 'D' before sending a right foot scorcher in to the top left corner. A lively encounter between two early frontrunners continued to flow from end to end, as tempers also began to fray. The Iron lost a player to a straight red card for the second consecutive game when skipper Steve Torpey was sent off for violent conduct following an incident with Dean Smith. Nathan Stanton continued to be the rock at the heart of a United defence to hold off the best efforts of Garcia and Ahmet Brkovic.