Leyton Orient 1 Carlisle United 1: Jack Iredale scored his first Carlisle United goal to end the Blues' run of defeats at Leyton Orient.

The defender scored in the 48th minute to cancel out Josh Wright's early penalty.

It was former Morton man Iredale's first goal in English football and it featured in a much-improved second-half display by the Cumbrians.

The draw saw them halt a sequence of four straight league defeats and move up a place to 20th in League Two.

Under-pressure boss Steven Pressley made three changes to his side, bringing Iredale back in for suspension along with Mo Sagaf and Harry McKirdy at the expense of Christie Elliott, Stefan Scougall and Olufela Olomola.

The Blues got off to the worst possible start when, in the seventh minute, young defender Jarrad Branthwaite was penalised for his challenge on James Brophy as the Orient man made a run into the left of the box.

Carlisle and their 552 travelling fans felt the decision was harsh as ref David Rock pointed to the spot and Wright sent Adam Collin the wrong way.

Carl Fletcher's side could have doubled their lead on 13 minutes but Marvin Ekpiteta hit the post.

Orient made inroads down their left numerous times through Brophy and overlapping full-back Joe Widdowson.

Carlisle managed to limit the number of clear-cut chances from there with Mike Jones blocking from Matt Harrold and later Wright curling wide from outside the box.

But United struggled to establish a foothold in the home half, with McKirdy's shot from the right, and a Jones effort saved by Dean Brill, their best efforts from a tame attacking display.

Pressley sent on Olomola for Branthwaite at the break and switched to 4-3-3 and this led to a better United showing, 23-year-old Iredale rifling them level after a Bridge corner had caused a scramble in the Orient box.

Neither side created many clear-cut chances from there but Carlisle's general play was much-improved as they were often on the front foot.

Nathan Thomas had a close-range chance to the right of goal on 67 minutes but mis-hit his finish.

McKirdy hooked a half-chance wide before, late on, Collin saved well from Brophy's shot at the other end.

Olomola had another attempt saved at the near post and at the death sub Dale Gorman lashed over for the hosts.

Blues defender Byron Webster was booked in the second half - his fifth yellow card of the season, meaning he will miss next weekend's home clash with Macclesfield.

Orient: Brill, Widdowson, Ekpiteta, Coulson, Happe, Clay, Dayton (Maguire-Drew 61), Brophy, Wright, Marsh (Gorman 83), Harrold (Dennis 72). Not used: Sargeant, Judd, Turley, Alabi.

United: Collin, Branthwaite (Olomola 46), Webster, Mellish, Iredale, G Jones, M Jones, Sagaf (Knight-Percival 87), Bridge, Thomas (Hope 83), McKirdy. Not used: Gray, Elliott, Scougall, Sorensen.

Ref: David Rock.

Crowd: 5,765 (552 United fans)