Leyton Orient 1-0 Wycombe Wanderers: FLW reports as O's give Wrexham a chance to clinch promotion | OneFootball

Lunchtime action in League One as Leyton Orient hosted Wycombe Wanderers.

Wycombe Wanderers' automatic promotion hopes look glum after a 1-0 defeat against Leyton Orient. This gives Wrexham the chance to secure promotion this evening.

The main talking point of the opening 45 minutes was a red card that wasn't given to Ethan Galbraith. The Orient man sliced down Josh Scowen at the knee, but somehow it was only given as a yellow.

A fairly even first-half saw both teams have chances, but neither were able to find the net as Mike Dodds' side failed to score in the first half for the eleventh consecutive game.

Leyton Orient took the lead with 66 minutes on the clock, Randell Williams heading home from a cross against his former club which would go on to bag his side a crucial three points, and all but end Wycombe's automatic promotion hopes.

Leyton Orient 1–0 Wycombe Wanderers

The game almost started perfectly for the home side. Agyei's deep run from inside his own half in the opening 30 seconds met Kelman's head. The top scorer headed into Norris' waiting arms.

Richard Kone had a few shots early doors, but the Ivorian was nowhere near his usual standard as he fired over both of his attempts that could've broken the deadlock.

Referee Martin Coy wasn't a popular man with the away supporters. Galbraith was lucky not to see red when he caught Josh Scowen in the knee. Somehow, the former Man United man was shown a yellow card.

Scowen was left in pain after the challenge and couldn't continue, meaning the Wanderers midfielder was swapped with Alex Lowry ten minutes before half-time.

It was quite a close first-half with chances coming for either side, but neither side could find a way through. The teams went in level at the break, as Wycombe made it 11 games without scoring in the first half.

Dan Udoh had an excellent chance to give the away side the lead. Lowry and the striker played a nice one-two with Lowry. The Nigerian's shot was well saved by Josh Keely.

Donley then flashed a powerful effort past Norris' post after picking up a loose ball at the edge of the box.

After 66 minutes, Orient took the lead via former Wycombe loanee Williams. A simple ball into the box saw Fred Onyedinma lose his man, and the January signing headed home from a few yards out.

Kone then flashed yet another shot high and wide from a clean one-on-one. The 21-year-old had endured an awful afternoon in the capital, with his first touch letting him down on multiple occasions.

Once again, Dodds' side never looked like scoring, and they offered absolutely nothing in the middle of the park. Orient were more than comfortable to see this one out.

Adam Reach flashed a delightful volley over the bar, which was the closest his side got in the second half. That would've been a goal of the season contender had that flown in.

After seven minutes of stoppage time was up, Wycombe went out with a whimper and gave Wrexham the chance to secure automatic promotion to the Championship if they beat Charlton Athletic this evening.

Leyton Orient's win ensured they remain in the driving seat for the play-offs, heading into the final day. They must now win their last game and whatever Reading do is irrelevant.

Leyton Orient player ratings

J. Keeley - 6

E. Galbraith - 6

R. Edmonds-Green - 6

O. Beckles - 6

B. Cooper - 6 (D. Pratley 65' (6))

J. Brown - 6 (D. Ball 92' (6))

S. Clare - 6

R. Williams - 7

J. Donley - 7

D. Agyei - 6 (A. Abdulai 79'(6))

C. Kelman - 6

Unused subs: N. Phillips, O. O'Neill, D. Jaiyesimi, D. Markanday

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Wycombe Wanderers player ratings

W. Norris - 6

F. Onyedinma - 4 (G. McCleary 73'(6))

J. Grimmer - 4

S. Bradley - 6

C. Taylor - 6

L. Leahy - 6 (A. Reach 73'(6))

X. Simons - 6

J. Scowen - 7 (A. Lowry 35'(6))

C. Humphreys - 5 (K. Sadlier 86'(6))

D. Udoh - 6

R. Kone - 3

Unused subs: F. Ravizzoli, T. Bakinson, J. Low

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Match attendance

There were 8,935 fans present at Brisbane Road on Saturday lunchtime, with a packed-out away end of TBC Wycombe fans.

Richie Wellens reacts to massive Leyton Orient win

Speaking to The Standard after the game, Orient boss Wellens, who'd served a touchline ban for the game, said: “We nullified them and limited them to very few good areas of the pitch and hardly any chances.

“For the calibre of players they have with real quality, to limit them the way we did was very pleasing. I thought out of possession we were excellent.

“It was a great delivery from Dan Agyei and a great header to win the game. We could have had a couple more chances, but it was a really tight game. I thought we were dominant in most areas but they were always a threat.

“They murdered us at their place, and we just felt we’d play man for man but have an extra centre-back, and we looked really good and aggressive.

Mike Dodds reacts as Wycombe fall short once again

Speaking to The Standard after the game, Wycombe boss Dodds said: “Today’s one of those games where we didn’t deserve to lose it but I can’t lie and say we did enough to win it.

“It was a really cagey affair with both teams having a huge amount to play for, and it came down to a moment.

“There were two crucial moments in the game, and I’m not going to sit here and make excuses as I’m head coach of the football club, and we’ve lost back-to-back games at a crucial time of the season, so I have to take my medicine.

“The really important message is that the season isn’t over, we need to lick our wounds. Today is now in the past and we move on.”