Play-off adventure ends in pain

SKY BET LEAGUE ONE PLAY OFF ELIMINATOR 2ND LEG

- GARETH EVANS

THE Hatters' League One play-offs adventure came to an end with a second-leg defeat on penalties under the lights at a sold-out Edgeley Park against Leyton Orient.

Ethan Galbraith converted the decisive kick from 12 yards for the visitors, who will face either Charlton or Wycombe at Wembley for the last remaining third-tier promotion spot, and what will be for Orient a chance of going back up to the Championship for the first time in 43 years.

Earlier, having begun the game on level terms with the 'O's' following the first leg at Brisbane Road, the Hatters conceded in the third minute of the return match to go behind on aggregate, before Tanto Olaofe's 13th goal of the campaign in all competitions, just over a quarter of an hour from the end, sent the tie into extra time, and ultimately required matters to be settled from the penalty spot.

The Hatters took to the field for an 8pm start on a cloudless Wednesday evening, and with an initial line-up unchanged from that in East London four days earlier. The County bench included Ben Hinchliffe and Jack Diamond, who were back in the squad after, respectively, a lay-off of three months and a three-match suspension.

The O's who had enjoyed victories on their last two visits to SK3, and made three changes to their side from the first-leg tie - got off to the best of starts, stunning County with a goal from the evening's first attempt.