Kennedy Digie’s own goal spared Leyton Orient’s blushes as they progressed from the Emirates FA Cup first round proper with 1-0 victory over Tamworth at The Lamb Ground.
The National League outfit could not repeat last year’s cup heroics that saw them face Tottenham Hotspur in the third round as they fell to an agonising late defeat.
Neither team could find a way through in the first half with Killian Cahill forced to go full stretch to deny the hosts just before the break.
But with Leyton Orient enjoying success in wide areas, it was Sonny Perkins who delivered the end product in the 79th minute as he saw his dangerous cross headed into the net by Digie.
It means Leyton Orient book a trip to Salford City in the next round, while Tamworth have to settle for another valiant effort in front of the TNT Sports cameras.
A stunning stop from Killian Cahill to deny @tamworthfc 😯🧤
📺 Watch live on @footballontnt and @discoveryplusUK#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/3bMesYeOpb
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) November 3, 2025
Tamworth thought they had got off to the dream start in the first minute as Manny Duku tapped home from close-range but the flag was raised to deny early celebrations.
But the Lambs continued to have chances as captain Ben Milnes skewed his shot wide before Beck-Ray Enoru sent an audacious effort from range the wrong side of the post.
While Leyton Orient moved the ball around well, the hosts did well to disrupt around the box as the higher-ranked side struggled to make their mark in the first half.
At the other end, Tom Tonks’ legendary long throw continued to cause problems for the O’s on 40 minutes as he once more found a head in the box that Orient were forced to block.
But the ball found its way to Enoru who once more took his chances, this time getting his strike on target, but Cahill was there to make the stop.
The game opened as half time approached as Aaron Connolly saw a shot from inside the box blocked superbly by Kwaku Donkor before Cahill was called into action again at the other end.
This time the ‘keeper was stretched as another Tamworth set-piece found its way to Stefan Mols whose powerful header was just tipped over the bar by a brilliant reactionary save from Cahill.
And the hosts continued to show the same intent after the break as Enoru drew a free-kick high up on the left wing 10 minutes after the restart.
It was Milnes who stepped up to send a tantalising ball into the box, but the visitors were able to clear well.
But it was Leyton Orient who found the breakthrough with just over 10 minutes of play to go as substitute Perkins sent in a dangerous cross that forced Tamworth into defensive action.
It was Lambs defender Digie who rose highest but he was unlucky to see the ball deflect off his head and into the goal to put his side behind late on.
Tamworth continued to push into the final minutes and there were shouts for a penalty as a red shirt hit the deck in the box but the referee was quick to wave play on.
Three corners in a row even saw Tamworth goalkeeper Jas Singh called up into the opposition box in stoppage time but their efforts were proved in vain.
In the end it was Leyton Orient who should have added to their lead with a numerical advantage in the box, but Singh saved well to an ultimately weak effort.
