Leyton Orient have reached the League One playoff final after they recorded a 2-1 victory over Peterborough.
After the first leg ended 1-1, Orient took the lead on the hour mark when Dean Cox volleyed the ball through a group of players from 14 yards, before Chris Dagnall looked to have sealed the win from close range with two minutes left.
However, an injury-time goal from Conor Washington made for a grandstand finish, but Russell Slade's side held on to book their place at Wembley.
Read below to see how the action unfolded at Brisbane Road.
Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the second leg of the League One playoff semi-final between Leyton Orient and Peterborough United.
After the two teams fought out a 1-1 draw at Peterborough on Saturday afternoon, the stage is set for a thrilling encounter this evening as both teams look to earn their place in the League One playoff final. It's going to be a tense few hours for all involved!
It could be argued that all of the pressure is on Leyton Orient. Russell Slade's outfit have been a constant fixture at the top of the standings, and at one point, looked ready to run away with the division before the likes of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brentford went through the gears and replaced them in the top two. Nevertheless, it's been an unbelievable campaign for Orient and if they can prevail tonight, they would be fully deserving of their place in the final.
As for Peterborough, they have probably performed below expectations in their first season back at the third tier of English football, but despite never threatening to win automatic promotion, they have earned a second crack at winning an immediate return to the Championship. Manager Darren Ferguson will insist that his side have nothing to lose on their trip to Brisbane Road, and that's probably correct to some degree, but Ferguson will be aware of the rewards of getting promoted, while failure to do so could put his job in jeopardy.
The team news is in for both sides. Full details to follow.
LEYTON ORIENT XI: Jones, Omozusi, Vincelot, Cuthbert, Baudry, Cox, James, Lisbie, Mooney, Odubajo, Clarke
LEYTON ORIENT SUBSTITUTES: Sawyer, Larkins, Batt, Bartley, Dagnall, Lundstram, Simpson
O's coach Russell Slade has made just one change to the team that started the first leg at the weekend. Lloyd James has been brought into midfield in place of Everton loanee John Lundstram. Kevin Lisbie retains his place in attack after shaking off a knock.
PETERBOROUGH UNITED: Olejnik, Little, Knight-Percival, Baldwin, Alcock, Payne, Bostwick, Rowe, Swanson, Ajose, Assombalonga
PETERBOROUGH UNITED SUBSTITUTES: Day, McCann, Ntlhe, McQuoid, Washington, Brisley, Isgrove
Peterborough chief Darren Ferguson has also made one alteration from three days ago, with Ngosi Ntlhe being replaced by Nathaniel Knight-Percival.
FORM! Leyton Orient may have ended the season in third place but they didn't finish the regulation campaign in perfect style. The Os won three of their final five games, but defeats to Crawley Town and Wolves respectively meant that Slade had a big job to do before featuring in the playoffs. It was a strong end for Peterborough, who won four out their final six games, losing just one, and they will be confident of securing a positive result in London tonight.
PREVIOUS FIXTURE! The previous fixture between the two teams at Brisbane Road came back in February. David Mooney had given Leyton Orient the lead with 20 minutes remaining but just when it appeared that the home side would hang on to the three points, Britt Assombalonga and Tommy Rowe struck twice in the final three minutes to earn Posh a remarkable late triumph.
While they could boast a perfect record through to September 28, Leyton Orient have won less than half of their home fixtures since that date, which could be a concern heading into tonight. As for Peterborough, they have lost over half of their matches on the road, but nine wins suggests that they are an outfit who tend to attack when away from home, and that could make them a danger to their hosts throughout the 90 minutes.
The winner of tonight's tie will earn them a match with either Rotherham United or Preston North End in the final. That tie is also evenly balanced at 1-1.
With just 15 minutes remaining until kickoff at the Matchroom Stadium, I'd say it's perfect timing for me to give a prediction for tonight's match!
PREDICTION! After marginally missing out on the playoffs last year, Brisbane Road is sure to be rocking in anticipation of a successful attempt to reach Wembley this time around. However, while Orient are favourites, Peterborough can't be classed as underdogs for this encounter, and with over 30 goals to his name this season, Britt Assombalonga could spoil the Orient party. Peterborough to prevail after extra time.
The two sets of players are beginning to congregate in the tunnel. There are a few nervous-looking faces!
Russell Slade just said that he wouldn't be confident if it went to penalties. Pretty sure it was tongue-in-cheek...I think!
Peterborough United get us underway!
Wow, talk about nerves! Peterborough stopper Robert Ojejnik fumbles a long throw and a sea of players all surge in at once to try to either force the ball into the net or clear it off the line. Eventfully, with over half-a-dozen players competing for the ball, the referee blows for a free kick. Olejnik got lucky there.
Leyton Orient are making all of the running so far. Peterborough are struggling to get out of their own half, but a long ball towards their strikers eases the pressure for the time being.
SHOT! The first shot on goal comes from Orient. The ball is headed into the area and with it dropping on the edge of the six-yard box, Kevin Lisbie attempted an overhead kick, only to see it go wide of the near post.
Peterborough finally begin to make a positive impact on the match and Jack Payne sees a long-range effort deflected wide for a corner. However, nothing comes from the resulting set piece.
It's been an extremely living opening, and both sets of supporters are responding by making a terrific noise inside the Matchroom Stadium. Peterborough are starting to establish themselves in the middle of the park, with the tactic seemingly being to release the ball behind the Orient backline.
SHOT! David Mooney links up well with his strike partner Kevin Lisbie before sending a dipping volley over the crossbar from 20 yards. He will be a tad disappointed with that.
We are 15 minutes into this match and the possession stats are pretty much even. Leyton Orient have held onto the ball longer in the final third, but Peterborough look very threatening on the break. Good start.
Peterborough are attempting to take the sting out of the game, and it has to be said that they are making a rather good job of it. They hold onto the ball for a good minute and a half, drawing Orient out before trying to capitalise with a long ball, but Orient manage to see off the danger.
OUCH! Romain Vincelot and Craig Alcock contest a high ball, and both players hit the deck with considerable force. It appears as though the referee should bring a halt to the action, but with both slowly getting to their feet, the match continues.
CHANCE! That's a bit better from Orient, who work the ball down the left, but Dean Cox's floated cross is headed tamely over the crossbar by Kevin Lisbie. That was the first glimpse of goal that they've had in a while.
Orient are cranking up the pressure, and a cross from Romain Vincelot earns his team a corner. The first two set pieces are headed behind, while the third sees Peterborough awarded a free kick for a foul by Scott Cuthbert.
The match reaches the half-hour mark and neither team has managed to stamp their authority on the match. Peterborough have had the possession, but it's Leyton Orient who look the more likely to open the scoring.
Britt Assombalonga are barely featured in attacking areas for the visitors, but he does well to make inroads down the left flank after a high ball. Peterborough will be keen to get him on the ball inside the penalty area before the half is out.
CHANCE! Ha! Just as I mention it, the striker gets on the ball around 16 yards out, but with the angle against him, he blazes his effort over the crossbar.
SAVE! Lloyd James unleashes a super effort from all of 30 yards, but Robert Olejnik produces a fine stop to push his fizzing drive wide for a corner.
It has been a very inconsistent half from Robert Olejnik! He drops another high ball, but once again, Leyton Orient fail to get the ball in the net. The rain is lashing it down at Brisbane Road so the ball will be slippery, but he should be doing better than he has done.
It's looking like it's going to be a goalless first half. The match hasn't really lived up to its initial promise.
There will be one minute of added-on time at the Matchroom Stadium.
HALF TIME: Leyton Orient 0-0 Peterborough United
Leyton Orient waste a couple of openings in the final minute of the half, but the two teams go into half time at 0-0. It's been intriguing rather than entertaining, but hopefully there will be more fireworks in the second half.
Both teams have had an even share of the ball, but it's been Orient who are having the better of things in attacking areas. The home side have had eight shots compared to Peterborough's five, while also having three more corners than their opposition.
It remains to be seen whether there will be any alterations at the break, but I would say that it is unlikely. With how things are going so far, there is a realistic chance of extra time and both managers could be keen to keep a substitution available to them.
Leyton Orient get us back underway.
The home side start brightly, and win a corner in the opening 60 seconds of the half. The ball into the middle from Dean Cox is a good one, but Robert Olejnik does well to punch clear. I think that he has given up with trying to catching the ball.
CHANCE! Peterborough immediately break up the other end and Danny Swanson gets in behind the Orient defence, but despite Britt Assombalonga being an option to his left, he opts to direct on goal but slices the ball horribly into the stands.
Orient are playing a dangerous game in defence. On numerous occasions this evening, they have come within a yard of getting the offside trap all wrong and Peterborough would have been through on goal. Tommy Rowe tries his luck from distance, but he hooks his shot more towards the corner flag than the goal.
WOODWORK! Peterborough come oh so close to breaking the deadlock at Brisbane Road. Mark Little advanced into the penalty area before driving the ball across goal from 16 yards, only to see if flick the outside of the far post. The visitors are beginning to control this match.
SHOT! Moses Odubajo turns sharply for Leyton Orient on the edge of the penalty area, but he can only fire weakly at Robert Olejnik. Things are hotting up.
What was Mark Little doing?! He glances the ball into the danger zone and Orient look ready to move through on goal before a foul from Nathaniel Knight-Pervical. The defender has already been booked, but the referee opts not to caution him for a second time.
GOAL! Leyton Orient 1-0 Peterborough United (Cox)
Leyton Orient have the lead! Dean Cox smashes the ball against the wall, but it rebounded back into his path for him to volley the ball into the bottom corner from 14 yards for his 16th goal of the season. The Os are 30 minutes away from Wembley!
It's slightly harsh on Peterborough, who have had the better of the action since the break, but that was clinical from Cox and the visitors have it all to do in the remainder of this match. The Matchroom Stadium is rocking!
Peterborough are continuing to probe in the final third, but they are leaving just two men at the break. I can see this match staying at 1-0...
SUBSTITUTION! Kevin Lisbie is withdrawn for the home side with Shaun Batt taking his place.
CHANCE! Unbelievable chance for Shaun Batt! Leyton Orient work a two-on-one situation but after being played in, Batt could only slide the ball into the grateful hands of Robert Olejnik from 12 yards out. That should have been game, set and match. Dean Cox has been replaced by Chris Dagnall.
SUBSTITUTIONS! Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson makes a double change to try to change the course of this match. Conor Washington and Lloyd Isgrove replace Danny Swanson and Jack Payne. There are 15 minutes to go at Brisbane Road.
Peterborough aren't creating too much at the moment. That goal really sucked the life out of the momentum that they had been building. Ferguson makes his final chance by introducing Grant McCann into midfield.
BOOKING! Should Moses Odubajo have been sent off there? The winger has just connected studs first with Mark Little's ankle, and it's an abysmal challenge. The referee hands the Orient player a yellow, but it should have been red.
Leyton Orient are content with Peterborough having more of the ball at this stage with their main focus being getting men behind the ball. Five minutes to go.
GOAL! Leyton Orient 2-0 Peterborough United (Dagnall)
Leyton Orient book their place in the League One final with a terrific break-away goal to kill off Peterborough. Shaun Batt makes up a lot of ground down the right-hand side and his pull back finds Chris Dagnall, who keeps his composure to place the ball into the corner with the outside of his boot from six yards to earn their place at Wembley!
There will be five minutes of added-on time.
GOAL! Leyton Orient 2-1 Peterborough United (Washington)
Hang on a minute - this game isn't over! Peterborough pull a goal back through Conor Washington, who wrong-footed Jamie Jones from 12 yards. Posh have three minutes to find an unlikely equaliser!
Peterborough win a free kick and Darren Ferguson gives Robert Olejnik permission to get himself into the penalty area. The ball into the box nearly finds the goalkeeper, but Orient clear. However, they can't capitalise on the stopper being out of his goal.
Peterborough have a corner!
CHANCE! It's a perfect delivery from Grant McCann but Craig Alcock, who is advancing on his own into the six-yard box volleys the ball over! He should have equalised there!
FULL TIME: Leyton Orient 2-1 Peterborough United
The full-time whistle goes at Brisbane Road and Leyton Orient are going to Wembley!
What an incredible end to what grew into a pulsating encounter at the Matchroom Stadium. After a drab first half, the match came to life in the second half, and although Peterborough could argue that they deserved to take the match into extra time, Leyton Orient made the most of their chances and are now one win away from the Championship!
The Os will face either Rotherham United or Preston North End in the final on May 25.
That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. I hope you enjoyed our coverage, and we would love you to return for the remainder of the Football League playoffs, which will continue to take place over the coming days. Goodbye for now!
