When Leyton Orient were 2-0 up at half time in the League One play-off final just two years ago, they would have believed their future lied in the Championship.  Unfortunately for the O’s the unthinkable happened.

Can Orient return to League One?
Can Orient return to League One?

Orient were unable to hold their lead and ultimately lost the game to Steve Evans’ Rotherham United on penalties. If that wasn’t enough heartbreak, the following season, Leyton Orient were relegated from League One.

Orient had gone from the brinks of promotion, to the gloom of relegation in a blink of the eye.

Not only were Orient crumbling on the field, but the club were also involved in a legal battle with West Ham United about the Hammers occupying the Olympic stadium.

The verdict went against the League Two side, who claimed they would be put out of business by their Premier League rivals.

Orient would have been keen to return to League One immediately, and so far the East London side are managing to put up a solid case for themselves.

Ian Hendon’s side are currently in seventh place, and are holding the last play-off place by goal difference.

The O’s fans will take confidence in their prolific striker; Jay Simpson is League Two’s top goal scorer so far with nine goals and with Orient's attacking style of play, he should be able to bag many more before the end of the season if he stays fit.

Simpson is a striker on form, picking up two goals in Orient's loss to Crawley, and along with creative playmaker Dean Cox, Orient have an attacking force which can impact games, and take Orient to the next level.

If Orient are too return to League One, they may have to face the gamble of the play-offs, but if possible, I’m sure every fan would rather avoid those nerve-wracking 90 minutes at Wembley and get the job done as soon as possible.

It is clear they have the ability and the ambition: they just need to perform when it really matters and there’s no doubt Orient will challenge for promotion.