Leyton Orient promoted as power cut and scoreboard failure wreaks havoc on surreal night

The O's went into their clash with Gillingham sitting top of League Two knowing that automatic promotion could be secured if they could better Bradford City's result against Swindon.

Advertisement

The night got off to a terrible start when Omar Beckles was sent off after 14 minutes for a professional foul, before Gillingham took the lead two minutes later.

While Leyton Orient battled with ten men, it seemed like the night wasn't going to go their way when the Gills made it 2-0 with 14 minutes left, but the drama was done yet.

Priestfield Stadium was then plunged into darkness after floodlight failure, leading the referee to haul both teams off the pitch as they looked to find a solution.

Advertisement

With the lights out, noises of celebration came from the blacked out stands as news emerged that Swindon had taken the lead against Bradford, meaning that unless they found an equaliser, Orient would be promoted automatically.

Ground staff in Kent were able to get the floodlights back up and running before the players were reintroduced to the pitch to play the remainder of the game.

By that time, news of the final whistle between Swindon and Bradford had filtered through, meaning that Orient's promotion had already been confirmed.

Advertisement

Advertisement

However, their celebrations would have to wait as the Priestfield Stadium scoreboard then stopped working, meaning that supporters had just the referee's watch to go by as they waited for the final whistle to get their promotion celebrations fully up and running.

But after a night of excitement, nerves and what felt like eternal darkness, the O's had their promotion confirmed as they prepare to play in League One once again for the first time since 2015.