League One play-off final descends into chaos with fans fuming at EIGHT-MINUTE stoppage

The League One play-off final between Charlton Athletic and Leyton Orient was delayed by eight minutes at a tense stage in the second half due to technical difficulties for the officials.

Charlton led 1-0 when the match was paused in the 80th minute while referee Andrew Kitchen tried to resolve an issue at the side of the pitch.

The delay prompted the players to kick the ball around to keep warm, while Orient's coaching staff could be seen remonstrating with the officials, with the delay having taken the wind out of their sails as they pushed for an equaliser.

"We need to know what is going on!" former Charlton midfielder Paul Mortimer said on Radio London. "This is a big game and there peoples livelihoods at risk and jobs, we need to know what is going on. This is absolutely ridiculous."

Former Orient defender Matt Lockwood added: "I feel for Leyton Orient - they have had water poured on their fire. The stoppage for the referee has completely derailed their flow."

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

Charlton took the lead in the first half when Macaulay Gillesphey's free-kick went around the Orient wall and beat goalkeeper Josh Keeley. Ultimately, they held on to clinch the victory and earn promotion back to the Championship.

But Orient had been pushing hard for an equaliser in the second half and had struck the crossbar and put a great chance over by the time the delay came. It prompted fury from O's boss Ritchie Wellens, who was seen shouting at Kitchen - and he returned to complain after the match had ended.

Once the match got back underway there were 11 minutes added on, adding to the tension inside Wembley stadium, where there were 70,000 fans in attendance. But Orient couldn't conjure an equaliser to take the game into extra time.

After the final whistle blew, Orient supporters were left to lament the result - and the delay, which came at the worst possible time. " has packed in at Wembley. Momentum kill for Orient. Problems with VAR. Farcical delay," one wrote on X. Another wrote: "Feels like that referee delay really sapped momentum from Leyton Orient."

It was a very different feeling for Charlton boss Nathan Jones. "This is euphoria. We've had to battle, we didn't play well. We just defended really well. To win a game here and keep a clean sheet, I'm so, so happy," he told .

"There's also a bit of relief, but the majority is euphoria and pride. This is a good Orient side and they've hardly had a chance on goal. And that's down to our side. I wanted to build something. That's why I came here. It's the first step. Now we kick on."

and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our