Leyton Orient rely on late own goal to beat Tamworth in FA Cup first round

Leyton Orient had to rely on a late own goal to see off plucky non-league side Tamworth 1-0 in a tight FA Cup first-round tie.

Kennedy Digie glanced into his own net after a patient passage of Orient play 11 minutes from time, puncturing the optimism of a 2,820-strong crowd at The Lamb.

Tamworth bridged a 43-place difference throughout and were briefly in dreamland when Manny Duku bundled in a Tom Tonks long throw after 39 seconds, only for the flag to go up.

Alfie Bates hit just past the post and Ben Milnes flashed a similar effort beyond the same upright in the opening 10 minutes.

League One side Orient settled and saw more of the ball without penetrating, before Tamworth’s Stefan Mols forced the save of the first half from Killian Cahill, who clawed over his header.

Chances were at a premium after the break, with Idris El Mizouni flashing wide of the near post on the turn on 64 minutes.

Orient’s patience was eventually rewarded when substitute Sonny Perkins bent to the back post and, with Omar Beckles loitering, Digie’s intervention saw the ball nestle inside Jas Singh’s upright.