Chesterfield 1-0 Leyton Orient: Spireites beat O's to secure Watford tie

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National League Chesterfield knock out League One Leyton Orient

National League leaders Chesterfield claimed another EFL scalp as Idris El Mizouni's own goal secured victory against Leyton Orient.

The O's midfielder headed an Ollie Banks cross into his own net for the only goal just before half-time.

The Spireites, who eliminated League One leaders Portsmouth in the first round, held firm to see out the tie.

Paul Cook's side will travel to Championship side Watford in the third round in January.

Volunteers worked to clear overnight snow from the SMH Group Stadium surface before the tie was finally given the green light following a morning inspection.

Chesterfield - who have won all but one of their home games in all competitions this season - created the better opportunities, with Sol Brynn keeping out an audacious back-heel from Will Grigg.

Liam Mandeville also went close for the home side before Banks' awkward cross left El Mizouni in difficulties and his header sailed over Brynn into the corner of the net.

The Orient goalkeeper kept his side in contention after the break with stops to deny Jamie Grimes and Armando Dobra.

The mid-table League One side's best chance of an equaliser came when George Moncur set up Dan Agyei, but his drive was saved by Ryan Boot.

Chesterfield's victory was their fifth FA Cup win against EFL opponents in the past three seasons, having previously knocked out Salford, Northampton and AFC Wimbledon, as well as Portsmouth.

Chesterfield assistant manager Danny Webb told BBC Radio Sheffield:

"The result didn't lie today, we were the better team from start to finish. Saying that, if you asked any Chesterfield fan if they'd swap positions with Orient - out of the FA Cup but 16th in League One - I think we'd all take it.

"Today we can put thoughts of the league to one side and enjoy the fact that again we're in the third round, away to Watford, and I'm really pleased for the supporters. Hopefully we'll take thousands down there and we can genuinely enjoy the day.

"You could say the goal was fortunate but I thought the pressure was on and in the second half we should probably have added a couple.

"We defended really well and the crowd backed us, they gave us their support from start to finish. I'd like to think the lads repaid that faith."

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