Orient win play-off semi-final 4-1 on penalties after extra time
O'Neill gives Orient lead on night and on aggregate after just three minutes
Classy Olaofe flick equalises for County to force extra time
Controversial first leg at Brisbane Road finished 2-2
Orient will play Charlton or Wycombe in Wembley final on Sunday, 25 May
FT: Stockport 1-1 Leyton Orient (3-3 AET) - Orient win 4-1 on penalties
Image source, Getty ImagesAnd finally, after another captivating EFL play-off game, it's time to say goodnight.
us again tomorrow as we find out who will await for Leyton Orient in the League One play-off final under the Wembley arch on Sunday 25 May.
Charlton Athletic v Wycombe Wanderers (0-0 agg, 20:00 BST)
So the O's advance to the League One play-off final, but that is only half the story.
Tomorrow, all eyes will be on Charlton Athletic v Wycombe Wanderers at The Valley, with the scores level 0-0 after the first leg.
Stockport 1-1 Leyton Orient (3-3 agg) - Leyton Orient win on penalties
Stockport County
More from Stockport manager Dave Challinor to Sky Sports:
"We've worked on penalties over the last three weeks, I'll choose on what I've seen and I was really confident there.
"The extra time and penalties comes down to the mental side of things, everyone is tired and worked their socks off.
"You trust your technique, but maybe that was the only bit the was missing."
Stockport 1-1 Leyton Orient (3-3 agg) - Leyton Orient win on penalties
Stockport County
Stockport manager Dave Challinor speaking to Sky Sports:
"It's tough, especially in the manner of losing the game on penalties. We've not progressed but we've done brilliantly to get into this situation.
"I'm super proud of what we've done, I think you saw like in the game last night, moments can decide games, I think the goal we conceded was poor, it was a sloppy one from us.
"We had the two big moments and we had to take one of those chances, that is a bit of a hangover going into the penalties.
"Anything can happen in that, over the last three weeks watching us take penalties, I would back us but this is a unique situation you have to put yourself in.
"Credit to Leyton Orient they scored all theirs."
FT: Stockport 1-1 Leyton Orient (agg 3-3) Orient win 4-1 on pens
Image source, PA Media
Image source, PA Media
Image source, PA MediaFT: Stockport 1-1 Leyton Orient (3-3 agg) - Orient win 4-1 on penalties
Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient striker Charlie Kelman speaking to Sky Sports:
"I've been vocal about the gaffer, I think he's going to go right to the top.
"The way he sets up different game plans for different teams, he deserves a massive amount of credit for the recruitment that he's done and as soon as I met him I knew I was coming back.
"He promised me games and I promised him 20 goals and look where we are - we're going to Wembley."
FT: Stockport 1-1 Leyton Orient (3-3 agg) - Orient win 4-1 on penalties
What a night. We'll keep bringing the reaction to you here but whether you're catching up or want to live it all again, you can read Ben Ashton's full match report here.
We'll hear from Orient's top scorer Charlie Kelman next.
#bbcefl, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
Sam: This result will haunt Stockport, they had chances to win tonight but to lose on pens is one thing - but this coming after that hugely controversial Leyton goal in first leg will hurt.
FT: Stockport 1-1 Leyton Orient (3-3 agg) - Orient win on penalties
Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient manager Richie Wellens speaking to Sky Sports:
"When you go to penalties it's a lottery but it's our fourth time this year.
"I spoke to the players before the penalties, I said have faith in your goalkeeper, he's one of the best I've seen at saving penalties.
"If you ever feel that moment of doubt, slow your breathing down, get that technique and hit the target, we executed them really well.
"We've primed them, we knew it might not be a 90-minute game, it might be 120, or even longer, it's a late night.
"We've had enough practice in the cups, I'm proud of the group, I thought we were very naive in our play at time tonight, but we've got a lot of young players who will grow from this."
FT: Stockport 1-1 Leyton Orient (3-3 agg) - Leyton Orient win on penalties
Danny Lloyd
Former Stockport County midfielder on BBC Radio Manchester
This is a club on the up, it's been unbelievable seeing this side develop.
The fans believe in Challinor and the team, I hope it's a bump in the road and nothing more.
FT: Stockport 1-1 Leyton Orient (3-3 agg) - Leyton Orient win on penalties
Leyton Orient
Image source, Getty ImagesLeyton Orient captain Omar Beckles speaking to Sky Sports:
"We don't believe we've come into the play-offs to make up the numbers.
"We know we've overachieved, it's going to be an incredible day out for the fans.
"They've gone through so much over the years and it'll be an unbelievable achievement.
"It'll be incredible for me, a local lad, to take them to the Championship where they belong I believe."
FT: Stockport 1-1 Leyton Orient (3-3 agg) - Orient win 4-1 on penalties
Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient goalkeeper Josh Keeley speaking to Sky Sports:
"I can't believe it, it's a dream come true.
"Everyone wrote us off but look at us, now we're in the final."
FT: Stockport 1-1 Leyton Orient (3-3 agg) - Orient win 4-1 on penalties
Right, we'll bring you some reaction from the victors shortly...
FT: Stockport 1-1 Leyton Orient (3-3 agg agg) - Orient win 4-1 on penalties
Image source, Getty ImagesPenalties again - victory again for Leyton Orient.
Richie Wellens' side have now faced four shootouts this season and have won all four - once in the Vertu Trophy, twice in the FA Cup and tonight in the League One play-offs.
They will face Wycombe Wanderers or London rivals Charlton Athletic at Wembley for a place in the Championship after a 43-year absence from the second tier.
FT: Stockport 1-1 Leyton Orient (3-3 agg) - Orient win 4-1 on penalties
Steve O'Halloran
Former Stockport defender on BBC Radio Manchester
Heartbreaking night for Stockport County.
That's the cruelty of the penalty shootouts - congratulations to Leyton Orient they've been brilliant tonight.
County can be proud of their season and the way they've played in both ties.
They did enough to win the game, two fantastic chances to win the game, it was in their hands to get to Wembley.
It will be a 'go again' moment for them I think.
FT: Stockport 1-1 Leyton Orient (3-3 agg) - Orient win 4-1 on penalties
Image source, Getty ImagesWhat an incredible end to an amazing game.
Ethan Galbraith steps up and makes no mistake to send the O's players, bench and fans wild.
Charlie Kelman shouts "See you on the 25th!" down the TV cameras.
Harsh on Stockport, who dictated play for long periods but Jack Diamond and Ryan Rydel's penalty misses ultimately cost them by the finest of margins.
Ethan Galbraith
Image source, Getty ImagesLeyton Orient are going to Wembley!
Ryan Rydel
He hits the post!
Josh Keeley goes one way and Ryan Rydel goes the other - it's a great hit but it cannons back off the upright and the visitors have a chance to seal it with a spot kick to spare.
Azeem Abdulai
Great penalty, keeper goes the wrong way and he side-foots it home.
Getting to no-miss territory for Stockport...
Jack Diamond
Stuttered run-up and saved by Josh Keeley low to his right.
First blood O's.
Leyton Orient are aiming to return to the second tier for the first time since 1981-82
Leyton Orient reached the League One play-off final by beating Stockport County on penalties in a gripping semi-final tie.
With nothing separating the sides after a controversial first leg, County and the O's played out another pulsating encounter which went the full distance at a raucous Edgeley Park.
Ethan Galbraith struck the winning penalty for Orient after goalkeeper Josh Keeley had saved from Hatters winger Jack Diamond and Ryan Rydel struck the post.
Orient will face either Charlton or Wycombe at Wembley on Sunday, 25 May with a place in the Championship at stake.
It did not take long for a night of drama to get going as Ollie O'Neill gave Orient the lead after just 145 seconds when he arrowed in a first time volley at the near post following Galbraith's clever lofted free-kick.
The visitors enjoyed a fairly dominant opening spell until Stockport started to grow back into the contest and struck the crossbar after 17 minutes through Fraser Horsfall's header from eight yards.
From then on, it was Stockport who took control and Horsfall - who scored with a headed effort in the first leg and caused trouble all evening - again went close, glancing narrowly wide of the far post.
League One's top goalscorer Charlie Kelman almost doubled Orient's advantage slightly against the run of play when he headed against the underside of the crossbar from close range shortly before half-time.
Stockport came out with real intent after the break and found a deserved equaliser when Tanto Olaofe sent a phenomenal back-heeled flick into the corner following Diamond's low effort with 16 minutes of the 90 remaining to force extra time.
County continued to create chances as Horsfall forced Keeley into two more fine saves.
Odin Bailey almost won it for the hosts with practically the last kick of the game but his placed finish when through on goal cannoned away off the post.
It came down to spot-kicks and Orient managed to hold their nerve, scoring all four of their penalties to go through.
Orient goalkeeper Josh Keeley saved a penalty from Stockport's Jack Diamond to help his side on the way to a 4-1 win in the shootout
Stockport, who were playing National League North football six years ago and had been chasing a fourth promotion in seven seasons, will feel hard done by after what happened in the first leg.
County boss Dave Challinor described the decision to allow Kelman's opening goal on Saturday to stand despite him being two yards offside as "the worst I've seen in 15 years of management".
It ultimately proved to be extremely costly with that goal ensuring Orient were able to take the tie to penalties and keep their quest for a return to the second tier for the first time since 1982 on track.
When Orient hero Keeley met Shay Given before Man City FA Cup tie in February
Leyton Orient had to dig deep to keep themselves in the tie throughout the 210 minutes across the two legs.
Their mettle was perhaps epitomised by Jack Currie midway through the second period when he clambered back to his feet after picking up an injury and chased down Olaofe to put in an excellent sliding tackle and prevent a cross.
It was one of many moments that helped Orient remain undefeated in all five of their English Football League (EFL) play-off semi-finals - and from playing in the National League six years ago, they are now 90 minutes away from possible promotion to the Championship.
Manager: Dave Challinor
Formation: 3 - 1 - 4 - 2
Manager: Richie Wellens
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Dave Challinor
Formation: 3 - 1 - 4 - 2
Manager: Richie Wellens
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
League One
All competitions
All competitions
All competitions
Stockport County lost 4-1 at home to Leyton Orient in the regular League One season. The last Football League side to win away at County twice in the same season were Blackpool in 2003-04.
Stockport have lost just one of their last four games against Leyton Orient in all competitions (W2 D1), though as a Football League side have lost three of their last four home games against the O’s (W1).
Only Birmingham City (61) and Wrexham (53) picked up more points in home games in League One this season than Stockport (52), winning nine of their last 10 games on home soil (D1).
Leyton Orient picked up 38 points away from home in League One during the regular season, only Birmingham City (50), Wycombe Wanderers (42) and Wrexham (39) picked up more. Indeed, they’ve won each of their last four matches on the road, scoring 12 goals in total across that time.
Since 2017-18, the side that finished third in League One during the regular season have reached the play-off final in six of the last seven seasons, with the exception of MK Dons in 2021-22.
Among the four sides in the League One play-off semi-finals, Leyton Orient recorded the highest xG total of any side (2.47), while it was their third-highest total in a League One game this season behind Crawley Town in December (3.3) and Barnsley in December (2.78).
In the first leg, Oliver Norwood both scored and assisted for Stockport, while creating five chances in the game. Including play-offs, it’s the fourth time he’s created 5+ chances in a League One game this season, only Joe Powell has done so more often (8 times).
Including play-offs, Leyton Orient’s Charlie Kelman has scored eight goals in his last seven League One games, while on the road it’s nine goals in his last 10 appearances.
