Kashket helps O’s draw with the Hatters

A late goal from Scott Kashket earned Leyton Orient a 1-1 draw at Luton Town in their Final Third Development League match this afternoon.

Charlie Grainger saved a second half penalty, after it was goalless at the break, but the rebound was converted to put the hosts ahead.

But the O’s earned a draw on the road thanks to an 83rd minute strike by their 19-year-old academy graduate.

Ian Hendon included various first team players in the starting team at Kenilworth Road. Grainger was in goal with Alan Dunne, Jean-Yves M’voto and Connor Essam slotting into the back four.

Sandro Semedo featured at left-back with new loan signing Calaum Jahraldo-Martin ahead of him on the left-side of midfield.

Myles Judd was on the right with Freddy Moncur and Montel Agyemang in the centre and Kashket up front with Victor Adeboyejo.

Luton had a number of first team players involved too with Elliot Justham, Luke Wilkinson and Paddy McCourt starting.

All three were on the bench for the Hatters at Bristol Rovers on Saturday while senior professionals Dan Potts, Mark O’Brien, Peddy Ruddock Mpanzu and Nathan Doyle were also involved from the off against Orient.

Grainger was called into action after just two minutes as McCourt’s low free kick was turned behind for a corner.

From the resulting set piece, Wilkinson had a fierce drive tipped onto the crossbar by the O’s goalkeeper as the hosts settled quickly.

The visitors created a decent opportunity of their own in the 17th minute when Agyemang was played through on goal.

Justham managed to block the youngsters effort before the rebound dropped for Kashket, but he fired well off target from six-yards-out.

Luton responded, though, and nearly took the lead themselves midway through the first half at Kenilworth Road.

A poor pass at the back allowed George Murray to run through on goal, but his effort clipped the outside of the post.

Jahraldo-Martin caused problems for the Hatters defence with half an hour played as he latched onto a pass and was taken down by Justham.

The home goalkeeper only picked up a booking for the foul and the O’s couldn’t make the most of the resulting free kick.

A good run by Luke Trotman, four minutes later, saw Grainger called into action again, but the away custodian saved well.

On the stroke of half time, Luton caused a worry in the Orient defence as Ruddock Mpanzu played in Potts down the left.

The former West Ham United man sent in a cross, which flashed across the box, but couldn’t be tapped home and it remained goalless at the break.

Luton continued to press after the interval and McCourt was now making a big impact, showing off his skills on numerous occasions.

In the 52nd minute, however, Justham needed to tip an Orient corner over the crossbar, but the visitors couldn’t do anything from the next set piece.

And three minutes later, the Hatters were given the chance to score as they were awarded a penalty when Semedo handled inside the box.

Murray took the spot kick and it was saved by Grainger, but the Luton forward managed to slot home the rebound in the 56th minute.

The O’s finished strongly, though, with Kashket going close in the 72nd minute, but being denied by Luton’s goalkeeper.

Orient carried on pressing, but Semedo couldn’t make the most of a free kick opportunity as the game entered its latter stages.

Then with seven minutes remaining the visitors did get back on level terms when Kashket raced through and calmly slotted into the bottom corner.

Luton did have a chance on the stroke of full time to win it when Trotman’s cross picked out Frankie Musonda in the box, but he fired wide from close range.

It ensured it finished level at Kenilworth Road as the O’s and Luton played out a 1-1 draw, which offered plenty of positives for both teams.

Hendon would have been pleased to see a number of his senior players get 90 minutes and for Kashket to get on the scoresheet.

Leyton Orient: Grainger, Dunne, Essam, M’voto, Semedo, Judd, Moncur, Agyemang, Jahraldo-Martin, Adeboyejo, Kashket.

Unused substitutes: Roach, McLean, Huppe, Koroma, Ochieng.