THE dream is over. Orient are out of the hunt for a League One play-off place after this bad home defeat, which is not covered up by unfavourable results elsewhere today.
Tranmere keeper Tony Warner had next to nothing to do as Orient failed to carve out the chances necessary to win this must-win game. In contrast, Rovers displayed lethal finishing with two first half goals and a third soon after the break, including a brace for Adam McGurk.
Things started badly when Aaron Cresswell hammered Rovers in front with just eight minutes on the clock. He unleashed a fizzing drive from 35 yards with his powder-keg boot, to leave keeper Jamie Jones grasping at thin air. No Orient player chased him down when the ball fell to him from Jonathan Téhuoé's clearing header from a corner, but few foresaw that goal from out of the blue.
Cresswell turned provider on 49 minutes when he teed up Adam McGurk's second goal. Cresswell's inswinging low freekick zipped past a swathe of red shirts in the box, all the way to McGurk who poked it in at the far post. Elliot Omozusi conceded the foul and was booked for it.
Previously in first half extra time, McGurk pounced for his first goal when Matt Spring was robbed of the ball by Robbie Weir. That put McGurk straight through on goal and he placed his shot nicely beyond the reach of keeper Jamie Jones.
Those three goals mean Orient cannot reach the play-off zone which is four points away, with only one game remaining. But an extended round of applause by the home fans for Slade and the team was a classy touch recognising what a fine effort they have made to reach such a comparitively lofty height in League One.
Possession was not problem for the hosts during this game. But there was a derth of chances for the forwards, which was punished by Rovers who were lethal with their finishing. The two first half goals were the chances they made during the first half and they were taken with aplomb.
Dean Cox carved out space for himself a couple of times but his shots went high and wide. He first tested Warner on 70 minutes, but the stopper turned it easily wide.
Téhoué and Harry Kane did a lot of running while they were on the pitch but it was to little effect.
Slade hauled them off after the first half for Scott McGleish and later on, Paul Jose Mpkou. But by then Rovers had done the damage and there was no way through the lines of white shirts for the O's.
It was just one of those days on which fate was against the hosts. Zoumana Bakayogo's 70th minute mis-hit cross clattered the post when it could have easily dropped in over Jones. It was almost like the football gods wanted to draw a firm line beneath Orient's unlikely promotion bid, which this convincing defeat certainly does.
“We are staying up,” sang fans at full time. There are plenty of reasons for cheer at the club today.
Jones (gk), Omozusi, Forbes, Co, Dawson (capt), Chambers (Carroll 45), Daniels, Spring, Téhoué (McGleish 45), Kane (Mpkou 71), Barrett.
Unused subs: Butcher (gk), Whing, Jarvis, Crowe, Attendance: 5,302, including 331 Rovers fans.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here