BARRING anchor club Halifax Town, the worst form team in the basement rankings are Leyton Orient, who have undergone a stunning dip in fortunes, writes Tony Kelly.

The O's have not won for nine League games on the bounce in stark contrast to an FA Cup run that took them to the fourth round and a creditable defeat at Premiership Everton.

Their last victory on Third Division duty, however, was way back on December 22 when they lashed Lincoln City 5-0.

Since then they have mustered just two draws against Swansea, and last weekend away to Shrewsbury, as a position of mid-table respectability has been transformed into a dire descent into the division's dead-men.

Orient's bid to end that dismal sequence against the Minstermen has not been aided by their latest injury blow.

Wing-back Matthew Joseph suffered a nasty ligament injury at Gay Meadow, where at first he was stretchered off with a suspected broken right ankle. Ironically, the ligament damage could keep him out longer than a fracture would.

Into his place then came experienced defender Carl Hutchings, who will retain his spot in tonight's duel.

Matthew Brazier, who was signed from Cardiff City last month, will occupy the other wing-back role, while up front manager Paul Brush is toying with a recall for 12-goal leading scorer Steve Watts at the expense of veteran forward Kevin Nugent.

Orient's biggest danger to City is represented by midfielder Wayne Gray. Now in his third month's loan stint at Brisbane Road from First Division Wimbledon, Gray has posted six goals in 11 starts from midfield.

Updated: 12:11 Tuesday, February 19, 2002