The weather was the undoubted winner as Stevenage and Leyton Orient played out a dreadful 0-0 draw in a game that deserves to be forgotten as quickly as possible.

There was no lack of effort from either set of players as they battled the elements but perspiration comfortably prevailed over inspiration in a contest devoid of any real quality or redeeming features from an entertainment perspective.

The hosts had the two only real chances of note during the game; Louis Thompson unable to find the target with a rebound after O’s keeper Josh Keeley spilt a shot in the first half, while substitute Elliott List sent a good heading opportunity over from a corner as the game entered the latter stages.

Alex Revell made three changes from the hosts’ last league outing, the 1-1 draw at home to Reading, Luther James-Wildin, Louis Thompson and Jordan Roberts came in for Kane Smith and Tyreece Simpson, who dropped to the bench, and Dan Phillips.

It was evident from before the kick-off the conditions were going to be a significant factor in the contest and the hosts found themselves playing against the wind in the first half as they attacked where the visiting fans were located.

The early stages were a scrappy war of attrition as both sides tried to come to terms with the wind and rain and it took until the 27th minute for the first chance to arrive.

After Lewis Warrington was booked for a foul on Jordan Roberts, the free-kick into the box was cleared as far as Carl Piergianni who chanced his arm from 25 yards. O’s keeper Josh Keeley was unable to hold the right-footed strike but Louis Thompson, following in, put the rebound wide of the target.

O’s skipper Darren Pratley also saw yellow while boss Richie Wellens joined his players in referee Ben Speedie’s notebook soon after for protesting too strongly.

The conditions continued to dominate the remainder of the first half, with Stevenage shading the exceptions the longer it went on but without any other chances of note created by either side before the interval.

Roberts picked up an early booking in the second half as the hosts now had the wind at their backs.

They weren’t far away from making the breakthrough when a Louis Thompson cross from the right caught the wind and almost caught out Keeley, but he just managed to get a glove to it. The ball was drilled back in dangerously by Dan Butler from the left but the referee’s whistle brought that attack to an end.

Wellens was the first manager to make changes, introducing Dominic Ball and Charlie Kelman, but there was to be no instant impact as both goals remained largely unthreatened.

Revell made his first change in the 75th minute as Elliott List came on for Nick Freeman – and it was the substitute who had a big chance to win it seven minutes after coming on when he headed a Harvey White corner narrowly over the top.

There was late hope for the O’s when Tom James hit a free-kick from 25 yards but Murphy Cooper was comfortably behind it.

Stevenage: Cooper; James-Wildin, N Thompson, Piergianni, Butler; Freeman (List 75), L Thompson, White; Kemp; Roberts, Reid (T Simpson 87). Subs not used: Ashby-Hammond, Smith, Freestone, King, Aboh.

Leyton Orient: Keeley; James, Beckles, Happe, Currie; Pratley, Warrington (Ball 59); Perkins (Kelman 64), Galbraith, O’Neill; Agyei. Subs not used: Hemming, J Simpson, Brown, Graham, Jaiyesimi.

Referee: Ben Speedie.

Attendance: 4,259 (969 Orient fans)