Halifax Town v Leyton Orient, 02 September 2000

Halifax's awful start to the season appeared to be heading to crisis point when unbeaten Leyton raced into a two goal lead with only a quarter of the game gone. In the end, Town came within an ace of an unlikely first win with a performance described by Mark Lillis as the best since he became manager in June 1999. The tide turned when Gerry Harrison scored with a 30 yard scorcher with his much weaker left foot. The Shaymen then drew level when Steve Kerrigan was left unmarked from Alan Reilly's quick free kick from the right. Indifferent defending had given Orient their early double. Town failed to deal with Ahmet Brkovic's left wing corner and Dean Smith scored with a free header. More indecision led to the second. Nicky Shorey's deep free kick from the left was headed on by Brkovic for Carl Griffiths to net from close range. The ease of their early progress seemed a long way away as the Os had to desperately cling on to a point.