Orient came so close to a first win of the new year on Tuesday, only to be denied at the death by a determined Southend side.

A close game in terms of possession and shots at Brisbane Road was defined by two solitary pieces of individual quality in Adam Boyd's ninth goal of the league campaign, and James Walker's last gasp equaliser.

Though Orient will rue Walker's 96th minute strike, a draw was a fair result.

Just 2,801 O's fans turned up watched Kevin Nugent's first match as caretaker manager, and he spent the entire encounter prowling the parameters of the technical area.

The few fans present sounded like many more whenever Paul Brush, the predecessor of newly departed Martin Ling, appeared on the touchline in Southend colours.

But it was the Shrimpers faithful who were singing at the final whistle, after the Essex outfit rescued a point.

Shrimpers substitute James Walker capped a dynamic performance up-front when he rounded Purches in the area and then cut across to widen the angle for his shot, which he sent curling into the far corner past Morris' out-stretched hand.

His last-gasp striker ruled out Adam Boyd's goal, which came early in the second half.

Then, everyone connected with Orient at this hard time would not have wanted anyone except Boyd lurking dead centre 18 yards out, when the ball squirted across the edge of the box, on the quarter hour mark.

He calmly passed it past the flailing Mildenhall into the far corner His goal had lifted the Brisbane Road gloom lifted all at once.

The O's faithful shouted to the rafters, and the played responded. Demetriou sprayed cross field passes and at the back, Thelwell et al threw themselves in front of shots time and again.

Debutant Harry Baker looked dangerous. The young product of Orient's academy skinned his marker several times, and almost nabbed a goal too. His shot late in the first half from the touch line flashed across the whole length of the goal-mouth.

But chances were few and far between in this vocal derby.

Orient's back line looked in better fettle for much of the encounter than they have done in recent games. Atoning for past costly errors perhaps. Thelwell threw himself in front of the ball on several occasions and skipper Stephen Purches made numerous last gasp challenges.

The visiting fans were in fine voice throughout, their passionate antipathy for Orient one reason for the heavier than usual police presence around Brisbane Road.

And in the second half the visitors ratcheted up the pressure on the pitch, while Orient created little to trouble Southend.

In the opening minutes Kevin Betsy was able to fire across Morris in goal just past the far post, after Orient's back line backed off so much they almost ended up sharing seats with spectators in the North stand.

Southend threatened via the flanks, with Betsy looking always like his next cross would be the one which cost Orient.

They received a stay of execution in the form of six minutes of injury time, after Alex Revell was stretchered off.

And Walker capitalised with the last attack of the match to secure a point for Southend.

Honours even and a fair result. Hugely frustrating for Orient, it means the gloom still hangs over Brisbane Road, Attendence: 3, 835