Leyton Orient remain top of League Two after earning a 1-1 draw at Cambridge United this afternoon.

Home goalkeeper Chris Dunn made a series of crucial saves in the first half and Cambridge punished Orient at the start of the second period when substitute Jacob Blyth scored with their first shot on target.

But the visitors equalised in the last 20 minutes when Jay Simpson scored his fifth goal of the season to deservedly secure a point.

The O’s made three changes from the team beaten at Exeter City last weekend. Midfielder Jack Payne was handed his debut with Dean Cox starting on the bench after missing training this week with an injury niggle.

Goalkeeper Alex Cisak returned to the side in place of Charlie Grainger after missing the last two matches due to international duty while Frazer Shaw was preferred in defence to Alan Dunne.

Orient were backed by an excellent away following of more than 1,700 fans at the Abbey Stadium.

Cambridge should have opened the scoring when Josh Coulson was allowed a free header from a corner but he failed to find the target.

But the visitors nearly grabbed the lead when a long ball from Mathieu Baudry released Jay Simpson and from a tight angle the striker hit the post.

The O’s were looking more threatening and came close again when Connor Essam’s header, from a Lloyd James corner, was tipped over the bar by Dunn.

Mickey Demetriou had an opportunity for United but he blasted his shot over Cisak’s crossbar.

Daniel Carr went close on the half-hour mark for the hosts but his header drifted wide of the target.

The O’s put together some good interplay which resulted in Simpson setting up Bradley Pritchard but the midfielder’s strike from the edge of the area flew just past the post.

Sammy Moore had a chance from close range but the midfielder’s effort was blocked by Dunn.

Orient finished the half very strongly and only a double save by the keeper kept out efforts from Paul McCallum and Essam which kept the score level at the break.

But United grabbed the lead eight minutes into the second half when Demetriou sent in a great delivery and his low cross was fired home at the far post by substitute Blyth.

The hosts almost made it 2-0 when former Orient forward Robbie Simpson fired against the side netting.

Ian Hendon made his first change when he introduced winger Blair Turgott in place of James.

The O’s were struggling to create chances but out of nothing grabbed an equaliser in the 72nd minute. Baudry released Simpson and the striker tucked the ball into the corner of the net.

Orient made their second change with Ollie Palmer coming on in place of McCallum.

The visitors almost grabbed a winner during five minutes of injury time but Sammy Moore's strike was tipped over the bar as the game finished all square.

Cambridge United: Dunn; Roberts, Legge, Coulson, Omozusi; Berry, Newton, Simpson, Demetriou; Carr (Hughes, HT), Slew (Blyth, HT)

Subs not used: Beasant, Morrissey, Taft, Akintunde, Taylor

Leyton Orient: Cisak; Shaw, Baudry, Essam, Clohessy; James (Turgott, 65), Moore, Pritchard, Payne; McCallum (Palmer, 77), Simpson

Subs not used: Dunne, Cox, Kashket, Maguire, Grainger

Referee: Oliver Langford

Attendance: 5,821 (1,739 Orient fans)