Wellens hails 'special group' after Orient reach play-off final

Leyton Orient could reach the Championship - six years after winning the National League title

Richie Wellens says his Leyton Orient side are a "special group" after they reached the League One play-off final.

The O's beat Stockport County 4-1 on penalties at Edgeley Park after the sides had drawn 1-1 on the night and 3-3 on aggregate.

Orient will face either Charlton Athletic or Wycombe Wanderers at Wembley for a place in the Championship.

"I think they're a special group. Not just of footballers, and they've got the talent and some of them will grow, but I think they're special people," the Orient boss said.

"I didn't want a group of special people for their last game to be at Edgeley Park, I wanted it to be at Wembley."

Ollie O'Neill gave Orient a third-minute lead but they were pegged back when Tanto Olaofe's excellent back-heeled flick made it 1-1 with 16 minutes left

After a goalless period of extra timem Ethan Galbraith struck the winning penalty after goalkeeper Josh Keeley had saved from Hatters winger Jack Diamond and Ryan Rydel struck the post.

"We gave too many chances away," Wellens told BBC Radio London.

"When we played we weren't sharp enough, we could have switched the ball and the team was too expansive and they can play it through you.

"So I'm disappointed in our overall play, but when you get to stages like this - I played a big game away [for Leicester] at Cardiff to get to the Premier League and we were outstanding on the day but we got beaten on penalties and no-one cares.

"When you play in these games you want to play well and you want it to all go rosy, but it's not necessarily the case all the time. You need to show character."

Wellens also hopes that if the club can gain promotion it will allow them to keep hold of some of their more in-demand players.

The likes of Charlie Kelman, Jamie Donley and Keeley have all impressed since joining the O's on loan.

"I've got a lot of love for this football club and I want to get to the Championship with Leyton Orient - it would be an unbelievable occasion," said Wellens.

"We're not a Championship club - the stadium isn't big enough, the training ground isn't good enough, we're not a Championship club - but if we get there it will accelerate.

"The new ownership have plans to get there. It means we can maybe keep some of the players that are out of contract or are on loan, so it opens up a lot of doors."