CHRIS WISE Norwich City Res 1, Leyton Orient Res 1: Matthieu Louis-Jean made an unexpectedly early exit at Carrow Road last night as his long, drawn-out recovery from injury suffered an untimely setback.

CHRIS WISE

Norwich City Reserves 1,

Leyton Orient Reserves 1

Matthieu Louis-Jean made an unexpectedly early exit at Carrow Road last night as his long, drawn-out recovery from injury suffered an untimely setback.

The French defender had been pencilled in for an hour's action in the Pontins Holidays Combination clash with Leyton Orient, his second game after more than nine months on the sidelines. But he lasted only 30 minutes before pulling up sharply and requesting assistance from the bench.

The injury turned up to be nothing more serious than a minor knock on the right ankle, but coach Keith Webb was taking no chances and quickly replaced Louis-Jean with youngster Mark O'Toole.

Tha fact that the injury was unconnected with the hamstring problem that restricted the right-back to just two first team games last season would have come as a a relief to all concerned.

But it was still the last thing Louis-Jean needed after such a lengthy spell on the sidelines and he will now be hoping to have shrugged off the problem in time for City's next reserve fixture against Colchester at Carrow Road next Monday.

The game itself was a good advert for the Combination, with both sides producing plenty of attractive football for the die-hards.

The Londoners took the lead after just seven minutes when striker Jabo Ibehre latched on to an excellent through ball from Daryl McMahon to beat Joe Lewis with a powerful low drive which went in off the upright.

Ibehre continued to be a handful all night but a youthful City side stuck to their task and deservedly grabbed a share of the spoils in the 72nd minute when Chris Martin pounced on a loose ball just outside the area and converted in some style.

The Os were reduced to 10 men six minutes from time when Adam Chambers was dismissed for a second bookable offence, but they held on for a deserved draw.

City Reserves: Lewis, Louis-Jean (O'Toole 32), Bexfield, Fisk, Spillane, Halliday, Smart (Eames 80), Martin, El Ouargui, Muddel (Lathrope 73), Eagle. Sub not used: Arnold.

Leyton Orient Reserves: Doyle, Demetriou, Palmer, Chambers, Robson, Peprah-Annan, Corden (Amena 88), McMahon, Ibehre, Connor (Echanomi 76), Duncan. Attendance: 1049.