TOWN finished with nine men for the second time this season - but the point gained could be a crucial one come the end of the season.
The dismissals of Pawel Abbott and Andy Booth left Town's 1,181-strong travelling support in no doubt about the ability and understanding of Birmingham official Trevor Parkes.
As he was surrounded by security guards when leaving the pitch, Town's choir chanted "you're not fit to referee" with every decibel they could muster.
They were heartfelt frustrations and, had he been allowed, I'm sure Peter Jackson would have joined in!
It wasn't just the red cards which raised the heckles - although Booth's was very harsh.
There were some bad challenges from behind which went unpunished, in addition to a chest-on challenge by ex-Halifax striker Chris Tate on Town keeper Paul Rachubka as he tried to clear the ball.
On top of that, Steve Yates received a yellow card when clearly winning the ball and Andy Holdsworth was booked for a slightly mistimed tackle featuring no malice and little contact.
It was Booth's caution for over- exuberance in celebration of his ninth-minute equaliser, however, which really indicated that Mr Parkes was not au fait with the plot.
Right in front of Town's massed bank of fans, it was only natural for Booth to leap in the air and show his delight after wiping out Gary Alexander's tremendous fifth-minute opener for the home side.
Booth could hardly be faulted for the fact that several teammates then pounced on him to prevent him getting back on the pitch, but Mr Parkes was on the spot to greet him with a yellow card.
Isn't scoring goals, and the celebration of them, what football is supposed to be all about?
Booth's frustration was complete seven minutes from time when, after just flailing his arm in protest at the award of a free-kick to Orient in a harmless aerial challenge, he was booked again and sent marching down the tunnel.
Jackson, who had given the referee a tongue lashing as he left the pitch at half time, was prevented from repeating the dose by police and security guards at the end, but he quickly calmed down enough to realise the value of the point and the character in the performance.
From the 26th minute, Orient had a man advantage and for the final seven - just like at Swansea when Paul Scott and Ian Hughes saw red - Town were fighting with nine. It appears only assistant referee Chris Francis saw the off-the-ball altercation between Abbott and John Mackie which resulted in the ex-Preston man seeing red.
That Town held out said everything about the determination which is the cornerstone of this promotion campaign and, while what was left of the team deserved enormous credit, one man in particular stood out.
He was goalkeeper Paul Rachubka, who exemplified the defensive effort with four terrific saves.
Rarely tested in his five previous appearances, the loan man from Charlton was pushed to the limit as mid-table Orient tried to end their run without a win, which now stretches to nine matches.
After only 16 minutes, and with Alexander's thunderous drive still fresh in the memory, he blocked marvellously at his near post when former Oxford man Andy Scott, on his debut, was left clear in the box by Warren Hunt.
Then in the second half, he tipped over a firm header from Mark Peters after Efe Sodje's brilliant tackle had denied Justine Miller, before reacting smartly to tip a Donny Barnard drive around his left-hand post.
If that hadn't sealed the man-of-the-match vote, then his save from substitute Jabo Ibehre 12 minutes from time certainly did - because the pacy striker was hot favourite to score before Rachubka produced a breathtaking block.
By that stage, his fellow loanee Gary Harkins was on for a League debut and catching the eye with some hard work and clever midfield play, particularly when linking with Andy Holdsworth on the right.
It was difficult for Town to get clear from their own box when down to nine, but centre-backs Sodje, David Mirfin and Steve Yates all played tremendously well in face of the pressure.
There was no shortage of graft in midfield, either, where Jon Worthington and Tony Carss matched the workrate and where Danny Schofield looked the man most likely to create openings.
In a bright opening spell, Schofield provided a perfect cross from which Booth should have scored with a six-yard header and, two minutes into the second half, he set up the big striker again for a shot which rapped against a post.
Town had also gone close through David Mirfin's close-range header from a Carss free-kick before Abbott was given his marching orders, a point at which the contest became more about protecting what they had got rather than trying to improve it for a win.
HOW THEY RATED:
Paul Rachubka Made four saves of the highest quality to help earn Town a point and celebrate his extended loan. Handled well Rating: 8/10
Andy Holdsworth Had to concentrate mostly on defence but worked hard and involved in early attack from which Booth should have scored Rating: 7/10
Anthony Lloyd Orient weighted their attack down his flank when Town's numbers were reduced but he responded with grit Rating: 7/10
Steve Yates Solid as ever with some vital mopping up and sensible clearances. Maintained his excellent run of recent form Rating: 7/10
Efe Sodje Made an excellent tackle in the second half to prevent Justin Miller getting in a shot. Tough and effective Rating: 7/10
David Mirfin Had a first-half header brilliantly tipped over the top. Strong and effective at sweeper, he was in no mood to lose Rating: 7/10
Tony Carss Real battling display and even unveiled a useful long throw at one stage. His set pieces were again top notch Rating: 7/10
Jon Worthington Felled callously by Peters on a second-half break when he might have threatened goal. Non-stop workrate Rating: 7/10
Danny Schofield Looked very lively in the early stages, almost converting one attack and crossing superbly for a Booth header Rating: 7/10
Andy Booth Desperately unlucky to be sent-off after scoring Town's equaliser and, in the second half, hitting the woodwork Rating: 7/10
Pawel Abbott Teed up Booth's goal before being sent-off after 26 minutes for a bust-up with defender John Mackie Rating: 4/10
Spotlight on ... Paul Rachubka
There were a couple of occasions when the loan keeper might have come for crosses but, in the blustery wind, he opted to leave it to the defence. Undoubtedly the star of the show, however, with a string of fine saves, none better than late on from Ibehre when he was clear
Town looked more than capable of adding to Booth's equaliser, but once Pawel Abbott had been sent-off after 26 minutes, it became more of a battle to hold on. That battle was even more intense following Booth's red card
Subs used: Orient: Toner for Barnard 67, Ibehre for Tate 67, Purser for Scott 78. Town: Harkins for Schofield 75.
Subs not used: Orient: Harrison, Sam. Town: Senior, Onuora, Scott, McAliskey.
Scorers: Orient: Alexander 5. Town: Booth 9.
Referee - Trevor Parkes (Birmingham).
Dismisals: Town: Abbott 26, Booth 83.
Bookings: Orient: Peters. Town: Yates, Holdsworth.
Shots on target: Orient 7, Town 4.
Corners: Orient 8, Town 4.
Caught offside: Orient 4, Town 2.
Free-kicks awarded: Orient 11, Town 15.
Attendance: 4,137 (Away: 1,181).
