Let’s get one thing clear from the off, this was not a cup shock. Had Rangers won it would have been a cup shock but as usual we had to put up with the usual turgid performance this competition brings out of whatever players we select. Orient deserved their win but they hardly had to run themselves into the ground to earn it. 

With injuries ravaging the squad it was no surprise that Gregory made changes to get some miles in a few players’ legs. Camp was in goal behind Rehman, Cullip, Mancienne and Bignot. Ward, Bailey, Bolder and Rowlands were in midfield with Moore and Nygaard up front.  

The rain was lashing down and by the game kicked off the players looked like they were trying to turn on a pane of glass in their socks. Players from both sides were hitting the deck all over the place as the lush Loftus Road pitch made playing conditions tricky. 

Rowlands and Ward both tested former Brentford keeper Stuart Nelson early in the piece whilst at the other end Adam Boyd forced camp to save low to his left. The chances were pretty sparse in number and were punctuated by spells of decidedly average football from both sets of players. 

With Loftus Road completely empty on two sides there was precious little atmosphere aside from the noise coming from the O’s fans in The School End. The players looked as uninspired as the fans! Cullip was looking well off the pace at the back and Mancienne had to work hard to cover his blunders. 

Boyd should have at least hit the target when well placed inside the area and similarly Melligan should have scored when he had time and space to shoot. His effort flew into the empty Loft. At the other end Moore made a hash of a header and Ward saw a shot blocked after losing his man on the edge of the area. 

Halftime will have doubtless brought a mass change of footwear but it didn’t bring a change in the sloppy passing and lack of urgency from Rangers. After Ward had fired over the bar after good work from Bailey Rangers handed Leyton Orient the opener with some horrible defending. 

A long punt into the sky was allowed to bounce as the R’s defence tried to stand up and play Boyd offside. The flag never came and as Boyd tried to trap the ball it got away from him but rolled straight to Jason Demetriou and the nineteen year old steadied himself before calmly slotting past Camp. The finish had been just about the only moment of quality seen all night. 

Minutes later Camp made a stunning save to deny Wayne Gray a goal. Corden blasted his way past Rehman and his ball across the six yard box was attacked by Gray and Mancienne. The Orient man got there first and made a good connection only for Camp to fly to his left and tip the ball up onto the bar and away to safety. 

Orient doubled their lead with what looked to be a contentious penalty decision from Rangers hater Andy Hall. Gray and Cullip chased a ball into the area and Gray was all over the leaden footed R’s defender. As Cullip lost his balance he had a tug at Gray and the pair tumbled to the floor. Hall pointed to the spot and cautioned Cullip. It was reminiscent of his decision against Evatt at Northampton in this competition a couple of years ago, that time Evatt was hauled down, fell on the bloke and was dismissed for his trouble. Adam Boyd stepped up and sent a fine penalty into the corner. 

Gregory sent St Aimie on in place of the anonymous Moore straight after the goal and Rangers had pulled one back after five minutes. Ward, now moved up front in Moore’s absence, looked in pole position to make a hash of his finish but when he was blocked off Rowlands appeared to crack the ball into the bottom corner. Game on? Well, no not really! 

Rangers huffed and puffed but the passing was sub standard and any balls up to Nygaard were either not attacked by the striker, or simply given away thanks to a first touch that often ends up with the ball further away than most players can kick it! 

There wasn’t another chance to speak of from either side and when referee Hall blew for full time it was a blessed mercy. This was a wretched game played in wretched conditions between two wretched sides. Rangers offered absolutely nothing and only Rowlands and Mancienne can be vaguely pleased with their performances. 

The team that plays against Cardiff will hopefully bear little resemblance to this one. Rangers were short at the back, lacked a cutting edge in midfield and were embarrassingly lightweight up front.  

Man of the Match – Martin Rowlands. Rowly was the best Rangers player on the park but Mancienne aside, he had precious little competition.

simon@qprnet.com