It was a well earned point at a ground where the Blades have remained unbeaten since 1983 and looked like taking all three points home back to Sheffield with them after on-loan Liverpool midfielder Conor Coady struck first in the second half until a unstoppable Dean Cox effort shared the spoils nine minutes from time. United were expected to come away from Brisbane Road with nothing, the Blades started the day languishing in the bottom four whilst Orient were second in the league with only Wolves in a position to topple their promotion challenge.
Blades boss Nigel Clough made two changes against an Orient side who despite their league position had accumulated four points from there previous three fixtures. Shaun Miller, Simon Lappin moved to the bench with Jose Baxter and Harry Maguire (returning from suspension) in the starting eleven. Orient were on the off as soon as the game was going and in the fourth minute Baudry steared wide of goal.
McMahon was cautioned for a foul on Batt and will now miss next Sunday's FA Cup tie at either Gigg Lane or Abbey Ground and soon afterwards Long dug in bravly to deny Mooney who had to settle for a corner. Long was in action again as the set-piece alonst found a way into goal by Batt.
Cox was prevented by McMahon when the former Middlebrough defender gave a perfectly timed tackle to stop the Orient forward from advancing before Coady cleared. United had played a new formation in London under Clough, starting Chris Porter has the sole striker and Jose Baxter playing just behind him, the striker combined with captain Doyle in the 18th minute but quite find White in space.
At the other end Mooney dragged his effort wide of goal and on the half hour mark wasted a better opportunity when Batt powered through and found his teammate unmarked but Long reacted quickest to smother when a goal looked likely.
United had worked well and wre releaved to have gone into the break level. On 59 minmutes Doyle was cautioned for a foul on Vincelot. Hill had fouled the latter and James' free-kick sailed into touch before Clark was the latest name to get into referee Deadman's book. Baxter miscued his set-piece when given an opportunity to test keeper Jones.
However the former Evertonian made amends and his attacking prowess made a huge inpact on 67 minutes when United took a surprise lead. The midfielder picked Porter and rather than shoot himself found COADY on the angle who swept home to score bhis first professional goal of his career; 1-0!
A number of changes were made rom both sides, in particular for United with Lyle Taylor and Simon Lappin replacing Chris Porter and Aidan White. The Blades lead lasted just 15 minutes when a snap shot beat Long and sent the majority of the 6,586 crowd into celebration. On 82 minutes there seemed to be little danger when a lofted ball fell to COX outside the penalty area - crowded by a Blades definsive wall the striker's looping effort swung out of reach of Long and into the net - he was beat by an amazing goal.