Leyton Orient promoted to League One

The leaders were reduced to 10 men inside a quarter of an hour when Omar Beckles was dismissed and were two goals down when the floodlights failed at Priestfield Stadium.

But Bradford’s defeat at Swindon meant O’s already had enough points on the board to secure automatic promotion and they can clinch the title at home with a win against Crewe on Saturday, if Stevenage fail to win at play-off hopefuls Mansfield Town.

Head coach Richie Wellens named the same starting line-up from Saturday’s 2-0 win at Sutton United as O’s went in search of the point that would guarantee promotion, no matter what happened elsewhere.

And Paul Smyth found space on the right on five minutes to show his pace, but his low cross was dealt with and cleared by Max Ehmer.

The visitors went close three minutes later when a fine passing move ended with another low cross from Smyth being diverted towards Darren Pratley, whose shot was well struck but pushed away by Glenn Morris.

And O’s continued to dominate the opening exchanges, forcing a corner on 11 minutes, which skimmed through a crowd of players without finding a telling touch.

But they were then rocked by a second red card of the season for Beckles just moments later, for a professional foul on George Lapslie, and fell behind as Alex MacDonald’s free-kick went through the wall and beat Lawrence Vigouroux.

Dom Jefferies fired over when played through soon after, with Kieran Sadlier making way for Jamie McCart in an early change for O’s.

Pratley had his name taken, with Wellens and Smyth also cautioned before the 25-minute mark as frustrations grew among the visiting ranks.

But they began to start piecing together some threatening moves, albeit while having to remain alert to Gillingham counter-attacks, before Ehmer was booked for hauling Ruel Sotiriou down as he looked to break upfield.

Pratley led an Orient break just before half-time, before Smyth won a free-kick some 30 yards out, but Tom James saw his superb effort tipped over by Morris and Rob Hunt picked up another yellow card on the stroke of half-time.

Vigouroux was called into action within seconds of the restart to acrobatically deny Timothee Dieng at close range, with O’s sitting deep in a bid to soak up pressure and spring Smyth on the break when possible.

And James tried to find the Irishman in such fasion on 56 minutes, but his pass was a bit too strong and gratefully grabbed by Morris.

Wellens made a double change on the hour, replacing Sotiriou and Pratley with Aaron Drinan and Jordan Brown in a bid to help the 10 men keep the pressure on.

And O’s got a glimpse of goal midway through the half when James played the ball into a dangerous area for Drinan, who was close to controlling it as Morris rushed out, before James fired a free-kick on the edge of the box into Gillingham’s defensive wall.

Smyth saw a low cross cleared after beating his full-back as O’s continued to show plenty of fight, but a long spell of possession came to nothing and Gills broke to win a free-kick on the edge of the box on 72 minutes.

That set-piece came to nothing but the hosts were awarded a penalty when El Mizouni was struck on the arm in the box, with Cheye Alexander converting from the spot to double Gillingham’s lead.

However, play was then stopped due to a floodlight failure after a powercut across the area, and the players were taken off the pitch by the referee as news of Bradford falling behind at Swindon came through to the delight of the large O’s travelling support.

After a significant delay, the lights came back on and the players returned, with Orient celebrating in a huddle before the restart and then playing out the final stages of what had turned into a somewhat bizarre match.

And now after four years in the fourth tier – following two years in the National League and a flirtation with being wound up at the High Court – O’s will return to Brisbane Road to host Crewe on Saturday, looking to add some gloss to their fantastic campaign and go up as champions.

Leyton Orient: Vigouroux, James, Smyth (Kelman 77), Sotiriou (Drinan 60), Moncur, El Mizouni, Pratley (Brown 60), Beckles, Hunt, Sadlier (McCart 20), Turns (Ogie 77). Unused subs: Sargeant, Clay.