'We've got to be better:' Challinor

COUNTY boss Dave Challinor was left to reflect on “huge disappointment” as his side’s season came to a grinding halt via a 4-1 penalty shootout defeat to Leyton Orient at Edgeley Park.

- SAM BYRNE

After a pulsating 1-1 draw across 120 minutes of footballer, with Tanto Olaofe levelling late on after Ollie O’Neill’s early Orient opener, the visitors cruised to a shootout win, with Jack Diamond and Ryan Rydel both missing from the spot for The Hatters.

It all means that Richie Wellens’ sixth-placed side head into the League One play-off final this Bank Holiday weekend against Charlton Athletic, with a place in the Championship awaiting the victors.

“To concede an early goal, in the manner that we did after the things we'd worked on in training, was really disappointing,” said Challinor.

“We weren't lucky to still be in the game in the first half, but we weren't at it. I thought in the second half and in extra time, we were really good and had the two big chances, two big moments to win it.”

Olaofe, who had equalised on the night and in the tie with a superb backheel from Diamond's low effort, spurned a glorious last minute chance to win it after surging past tiring defender Omar Beckles before blazing wildly over the crossbar.