League leaders Orient were unable to transfer their exceptional league form into the Fa Cup as they exit in the 1st round. A 93rd minute winner from Bassala Sambou stole a victory for
Alexandra who advance to the next round.
A game of limited chances in Cheshire opened up as Craig Clay received a straight red for
Orient with five minutes to go in normal time. In an aggressive tackle that Clay appeared to winthe ball, referee Sam Purkiss penalised the number eight as he regarded it to be a dangerousone.
The decision turned out to be a fatal one for the away side as Crewe made the extra man countby finding a late winner. Orient started the better of the two teams with a couple of early chances through Charlie Kleman and George Moncur. Kleman had a goal disallowed after he was deemed to foul the keeper and Moncur hit the underside of the bar from a tight angle after a short corner. Despite the creative spark, the O’s were unable to convert and went into the break in a stalemate.
The visitors continued to press n after the break, making attacking changes on 58 minutes,
bringing on Archibald and Smyth. The contest was scrappy and the subs struggled to make animpact with little time on the ball and an inability to convictively drive at the Railway men’s backline.
The match looked destined for a replay with the score still goalless hedging into the dying
moments. But the Clay sending off spurted a newfound intensity from the home side who seized their chance of an upset with a stoppage time winner. The ball was played down the right and a byline cross from right back Kelvin Mellor found Sambou who dispatched past Vigoroux.
Orient will be disappointed with the defeat but can now focus on their superior league positionas they head to Wimbledon for a London derby on Tuesday night. Crewe, on the other hand, were successful in ending their dismal run of form in the first game under new boss Lee Bell.
They host relegation side Colchester at home again in a week's time.
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