TEENAGE striker Jabo Ibehre's wonder-goal inspired a Leyton Orient revival that now leaves them with a tricky test away at First Division Portsmouth in the third round of the FA Cup.o
The O's didn't look like they were at the races at the start of the game, and following a needless foul by Dean Smith for a push on Dave Cameron 26 minutes into the contest they found themselves behind.o
The 25-yard freekick, which was spotted in the dead centre of the pitch, was duly dispatched by Ian Hamilton past a wrong-footed Scott Barrett, via a deflection off John Martin's head.
Five minutes later Orient appeared to have grabbed an equaliser, but Steve Watts' header was dubiously ruled out by the linesman's flag, the indication being that the ball had run over the by-line before Matthew Joseph had crossed it from the right.
With their side failing to make an impression throughout the remainder of the first half, the Brisbane Road faithful must have been left wondering if this wasn't going to be their afternoon.
But any doubts that were lingering that perhaps Orient weren't up for the Cup were cast aside on 58 minutes, when 19-year-old Ibehre grabbed a spectacular leveller.
With his back to goal he picked up a pass from Dave McGhee and shrugged off a challenge from Paul Mayo before unleashing a curling 20-yard thunderbolt that left Lincoln City keeper Alan Marriott rooted to the spot.
Orient continued to press forward, this time with a conviction that wasn't present in the first half, and it wasn't long before a Steve Watts header put the home side in front.
Ibehre's movement saw him create space wide out on the left to pick up a pass from Billy Jones. Holding it up he laid it back to the defender to send over a high looping cross to Watts, who out-jumped Peter Gain at the far post to direct it home.
With five minutes remaining, Orient sub Aaron McLean could have confirmed Orient's place in the next round. But, finding himself unmarked in the Lincoln City box, the young forward could only watch as Marriott pulled out a brilliant save from his powerful effort.
Dean Smith then rattled the crossbar with a first-time shot from the resulting corner and Orient appeared to have been left counting their missed chances.
But it could have been so different for Orient when, with just seconds remaining, Peter Gain cut in from the left, and with Barrett only able to palm the effort into the path of Hamilton, it was a linesman's flag for offside that saved the day for the O's.
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