Lincoln stretched their unbeaten run to three games but failed to find the net again, against an Orient side who finally ended their losing streak.
A scrappy game devoid of any quality only ended goalless because both teams were guilty of wasting chances.
Orient midfielder lan McCormack missed three clear first-half openings while Lincoln's former Orient striker Gary Fletcher failed to put away his team's best chance.
Lincoln manager Keith Alexander admitted: "We were poor, but I am not about the slaughter the players because you have these days when things don't fall into place.
"We created a few chances even though we did not play well, and we are now three games unbeaten." Orient boss Paul Brush was encouraged by the commitment from his players.
"It was good to keep a clean sheet, it's a good point but I expected us to win the game at half time.
"It was good to see competitors wearing the Leyton Orient shirt and everybody ran for the cause." Orient had to survive the last eight minutes without McCormack, who was shown a straight red card for an elbow on big defender Ben Futcher.
But Lincoln never looked like taking advantage and Orient deservedly held on to end a run of three defeats.
But it could have been better for the Londoners who should have punished some poor first half defending.
Paul Morgan was twice caught out and a dreadful back pass by Peter Gain gave Alexander a good chance which he wasted.
But McCormack squandered the best opening in the 32nd minute when he lashed a shot over from ten yards after David Hunt had picked him out with an excellent crossfield pass.
Lincoln's best opening fell to Fletcher, but he drove a right-foot shot straight at the advancing Lee Harrison, who also made an important block from sub Simon Yeo late on.
The early exit of McCormack could have proved costly, but Orient finished the stronger and Futcher made an important block to keep out a goalbound shot in the final minute.