Charlton 1 – 0 Leyton Or

Charlton are back in the Championship after five years away after beating Leyton Orient 1-0 in the League One play-off final.

Just 12 months after their lowest league finish in 98 years, Nathan Jones led the Addicks back into the second tier after victory at Wembley, sealed by Macaulay Gillesphey’s first-half free-kick.

For Orient, the dream of ending their 43-year wait to play in the second tier is over for another season.

Gillesphey’s free-kick provides the breakthrough

It was a free-kick that provided the breakthrough at Wembley on 31 minutes, Gillesphey wrapping his left foot around the ball and bending it around the wall. At first glance it looked brilliant, but replays showed Josh Keeley should really have done better with it in the Leyton Orient goal.

“The goalkeeper shouldn’t be getting beaten from there,” former Leyton Orient player and manager Jobi McAnuff said on Sky Sports Football.

“Josh Keeley will be so disappointed,” Lee Hendrie added. “He’s got his fingertips on it. I think he could have done better.”

Charlton put up the red wall to shut Orient down

Orient huffed and puffed in the second half, but the Charlton house would not be blown down.

For every shot attempted, there was a red shirt there making a block. Posts were clipped, efforts were tipped over and some deflected just wide.

It was a victory earned by graft and endeavour. A team carved in the image of their enigmatic leader Nathan Jones, who won his first play-off campaign as a manager at the third time of asking.

Nathan Jones: This is euphoria

Charlton boss Nathan Jones on Sky Sports Football:

“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.

“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.

“This club is ready to go. An ex-Premier League club. The infrastructure is there. I didn’t feel like I was coming to manage League One, I felt like I was coming to manage Charlton.

“The potential is there, the owners are good and days like today are priceless for the fans. We can build something. We’re 16 months into a journey.

“I’ve been involved in seven or eight different play-off campaigns in my career, and this is the best way to get promoted. This is the best day of my footballing life.”

Wellens: It was a poor goal to give away

Leyton Orient boss Richie Wellens on Sky Sports Football:

“We’re a developing club. It hurts but we learn and we’ll lick our wounds. Some parts we did well today, but other parts need work.

“We didn’t force the issue enough. Did we deserve to lose? Probably not. But in finals like this you live on moments, and it was a poor goal to give away.

“It’ll hurt. But we’ll use it as fuel.”

Euell: First step for Charlton is fulfilled

Charlton legend Jason Euell on Sky Sports Football:

“It’s a special moment for someone who’s attached to the club, but especially for the fans. The new ownership has come in and taken a chance on the club.

“We know what the club is about and the bigger picture is Premier League, but they’ve fulfilled the first part of the dream. It’s one step at a time.

“Now it’s about what it looks like over the next few weeks in terms of recruitment and how smart they want to be – if they try and go for it right away, or be sensible in consolidation.

“It’s about enjoying the moment, but then the day comes where you’ve got to focus on next season.”