Gillesphey strike and VAR drama define tense play-off final | OneFootball

Wembley delivered once again as Charlton Athletic edged Leyton Orient 1–0 in a nervy but absorbing League One play-off final.

Macaulay Gillesphey’s pinpoint free-kick midway through the first half was enough to secure promotion — but the talking point? A wild VAR technical glitch that saw the match halted for eight minutes in the 80th minute due to communication issues with the officials’ earpieces.

Player of the Match: Macaulay Gillesphey — not just for the goal, but for his all-round performance under pressure. He defended like a veteran and stepped up with the moment of quality the match desperately needed.

Leyton Orient pushed hard in the second half, with Charlie Kelman rattling the bar late on but Charlton held firm through 11 minutes of stoppage time.

A tense game, an odd VAR twist, and a fittingly dramatic way to end the League One season.

📸 Andrew Redington - 2025 Getty Images