Tie well poised for big night at EP

THE Hatters' first third-tier play-offs appearance for 31 years saw them share four goals in a pulsating first-leg tie at in-form Leyton Orient.

- GARETH EVANS

Leading Orient scorer Charlie Kelman put the hosts ahead in controversial circumstances just ahead of the half-hour, before an Ollie Norwood penalty and a Fraser Horsfall header turned the scoreline on its head - only for Kelman then to convert the game's second penalty and his second goal a couple of minutes from time.

The match was the sixth consecutive one in which the Hatters had recovered from going a goal down to avoid defeat, and also extended their run of unbeaten games to nine.

The Hatters took to the field on a gloriously sunny early afternoon for the lunchtime kick-off in East London, and showing one change from their starting line-up at Wycombe a week previously. Horsfall returned to the defence replacing Callum Connolly, who was named among the substitutes and, in doing so, was reunited with the captain's armband.

The County bench also included welcome returns to the matchday squad for club skipper Lewis Bate and for Callum Camps, who had been sidelined with their respective injuries since late March and early April.