Leyton Orient celebrate promotion to League One in the dark as floodlights fail against Gillingham
Leyton Orient had to wait to celebrate promotion to League One as the spotlights faded during Gillingham’s defeat…
- During the duel between Leyton Orient and Gillingham on Tuesday, the power went out
- The O’s were officially promoted from League Two as the match was postponed
- Swindon scored a later winner against Bradford to confirm the top three
Leytpn Orient’s promotion celebration started with their match against Gillingham still unfinished after being interrupted when the ground was plunged into darkness.
The table toppers were 2-0 down when the floodlights at Priestfield Stadium went out due to a fault in an underground cable which caused a power cut.
This forced the referee to lead both sets of players off the field while the supporters tried to light the ground with the flares on their phones.
It took some time for the chaos to settle down and the lights to come back on, in which the O’s were officially promoted due to a deceased Jonny Williams for Swindon Town against Bradford.
Orient fans heard the news as it happened and there were special scenes as they started celebrating after dark.
The floodlights went out due to a power cut with just under 15 minutes left
Leyton Orient fans celebrated after dark as Bradford’s defeat earned them promotion
The Orient players celebrated as the lights came back on before play restarted
The players were seen doing the same as they re-entered the pitch before the game restarted in what was one of the most bizarre events you will see on a football pitch.
It is now mathematically impossible for them to finish outside the top three and so they will play their football in League One next season.
Alex MacDonald and a penalty from Cheye Alexander secured Gills victory on the night after Orient sent Omar Beckles off in the 14th minute.
It didn’t matter to the victors though, as the cheering scenes continued after the full-time whistle with the official presentation.
The Orient players celebrate their promotion to League One after the full whistle