Leyton Orient snatched a 2-2 draw from Sheffield United thanks to a last-minute header from Romain Vincelot

The O’s had taken the lead in the first half through Jay Simpson. It was an advantage they held until the 89th minute despite the sending off of Jobi McAnuff in the second period.

Two goals in two minutes had seemingly swung victory in the Blades' favour. First Paddy McCarthy struck for the hosts before Marc McNulty planted a header in the corner.

Orient looked beaten but, with the final action of the game, Vincelot headed home from a Jack Price corner to earn the visitors a share of the points.

Where were three changes to the Orient side which defeated Dagenham & Redbridge in the JPT on Tuesday night.

Shane Lowry, McAnuff and Wolvers loanee Jack Price came into the side in place of Mathieu Baudry, Marvin Bartley and Shuan Batt.

The opening half an hour of the contest was instantly forgettable. Neither side created a clear opening and both struggled to maintain possession.

The Blades looked marginally the more likely to break the deadlock but Gary Woods was untested bar easily dealing with a Jose Baxter shot from the edge of the penalty area.

Orient had started in a 4-5-1 system with Simpson and McAnuff either side of target man Darius Henderson.

It meant the hosts were solid in defence and midfield but they lacked a cutting edge up front and Mark Howard in the United goal was largely a spectator.

The game needed a moment of inspiration - or a mistake. Seven minutes before the break it got one. Orient took advantage.

A cross into the Blades box was routine for Howard but he spilt the ball. McAnuff responded quickly and squared for Simpson who tapped home.

Seconds later the O’s almost had a second. McAnuff again the architect as he crossed low but, this time, the ball was cleared before Simpson connected.

The home side looked to hit back and only brilliant defending from Scott Cuthbert kept the scores level. The right-back positioned himself excellently to clear a cross from the waiting Baxter, who would have scored.

It meant the O’s went into the break ahead and with something to build on in the second period.

Or perhaps it was something to hold onto.

The Blades put pressure on the Orient goal from the restart. Simpson cleared a Craig Alcock header off his own goal line before an incredible miss preserved the visitors’ lead.

A cross into the O’s penalty area was deflected off his own post by Lowry. The ball fell to James Wallace two yards out but he somehow managed to scoop his effort over the crossbar.

Orient came under continuous pressure and their task was made even harder in the 74th minute when Jobi McAnuff was sent off.

The experienced winger had already been booked in the opening period and he was shown an inevitable second yellow card for a poor challenge on Alcock.

The hosts were boosted and put the ball in the net through McNulty. However, the O’s were given a reprieve as the goal was ruled out for offside.

United continued to pile forward and the hosts thought they should have been awarded a penalty when the tricky Jamal Campbell-Ryce was brought down in the penalty area by Elliot Omozusi.

The appeals were, perhaps wrongly, turned down.

Chances continued to be created. McNulty was denied by a combination of the post and Woods before Chris Basham’s header struck the crossbar.

Eventually the hosts found an equaliser. Several excellent blocks from the O’s defence weren’t enough as the ball broke to McCarthy and he lashed into the roof of the net.

Seven minutes were added at the end of the half. The crowd roused the Blades who went and grabbed a second. 

A cross was whipped into the O’s penalty area and McNulty rose highest and planted his header past Woods and into the bottom corner.

Orient looked beaten. They’d barely created any chances with 11 men and had only six minutes to find an equaliser with ten.

But, with the final action of the contest, they grabbed a leveller. A corner into the Blades penalty area was flicked on and Vincelot met the ball perfectly and powered a header past Howard.

Pandemonium followed amongst the away supporters. The O’s certainly made it difficult for themselves but they came away with a point.

Sheffield United: Howard; Harris, McCarthy, Alcock, McEveley; Flynn, Wallace (Campbell-Ryce 72), Doyle, Murphy; Scougall (Basham74), Baxter (McNulty 61).

Sheffield United substitutes: Davies, McGahey, Reed, Turner.

Leyton Orient: Woods; Cuthbert, Clarke, Lowry, Omozusi; Pritchard (Batt 90), Price, Vincelot, McAnuff; Simpson (Dagnall 69), Henderson (Bartley 84).

Leyton Orient substitutes: Lee, Kashket, Grainger, Ling.

Attendance; 19,179.