Leyton Orient could only manage a 0-0 draw in their friendly at Conference side Gateshead this evening.
The O's handed a debut to former Milwall defender Shane Lowry at centre-back with Scott Cuthbert returning to London due to injury.
It was a largely uneventful first half with Orient dominating possession but struggling to test the home goalkeeper.
Russell Slade's side went close after the break with a Dean Cox shot well saved. Elliot Omozusi was unlucky not to fire them in front when his strike was superbly pushed away by the keeper.
Orient continued to push for the opener but Cox was denied when his free-kick struck the post.
Slade bumped into an old friend, involved with South Shields, in the hotel prior to the match and with numbers low, borrowed player Barry Smith. The versatile midfielder got an unlikely run-out as a substitute for Cox.
The O's also gave an opportunity to midfield trialist Ayo Okosun in the second half as a replacement for Romain Vincelot.
Rob Ramshaw almost pinched the win for Gateshead but his late effort was well saved by Gary Woods.
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