Leyton Orient have been relegated from League One after throwing away a two-goal lead in their 2-2 draw at Swindon Town in the final game of the season.

The O’s had to win to have any hope of survival but a late winner for Colchester United against Preston condemned Orient to League Two in a desperate end to their campaign.

Swindon were reduced to ten men midway through the first half when goalkeeper Tyrell Belford was sent off. But the visitors spurned the chance to take the lead as Lloyd James’ penalty was saved by replacement Cameron Belford.

Orient’s first-half pressure was rewarded with the breakthrough shortly before the break when Dean Cox fired them into the lead. The O’s made it 2-0 at the start of the second period through Chris Dagnall.

Swindon pulled one back through a superb finish from John Swift just after the hour mark. Orient conceded a late equaliser from Andy Williams’ penalty but results elsewhere meant this proved irrelevant.

Fabio Liverani made two changes to the side held by Sheffield United. Defender Luke O’Neill made his first appearance since March in place of Scott Cuthbert. Josh Wright also returned to the midfield ahead of Shaun Batt.

Swindon made nine changes to their side as manager Mark Cooper rested most of his team ahead of next weekend’s play-offs.

The O’s almost got off to a dream start through Jay Simpson but his strike was parried by goalkeeper Tyrell Belford.

Orient were looking lively and James fired in a long-range strike which flew over the bar.

The hosts created their first chance through Williams but his effort was blocked by goalkeeper Alex Cisak.

Orient fired in another shot through Wright but his effort drifted harmlessly past the post.

The O’s were awarded a penalty when James was brought down in the area by Tyrell Belford and the keeper was dismissed.

But after a lengthy delay Cameron Belford came on and he saved James’ spot-kick.

Captain Nathan Clarke had a chance but could only head over the bar.

Cox created an opportunity for Dagnall but he hooked his effort over the bar.

The O’s grabbed a deserved lead five minutes before the break when Raphael Rossi-Branco lost the ball and Cox raced clear before drilling the ball into the net.

John Swift almost replied for the hosts when his long-range strike was fumbled by Cisak.

Orient doubled their lead at the start of the second half when Dagnall curled the ball home.

But a goal for Crawley meant the O’s needed Coventry to equalise to keep them in the division.

It should have been 3-0 when Cox struck the crossbar with Belford well beaten.

Another result went against Orient as Notts County took the lead at Gillingham to leave them facing the drop.

The O’s made their first substitution when Shane Lowry was brought on for Elliot Omozusi.

Swindon pulled one back in the 61st minute when Swift flicked a free-kick to Rodgers and he hit a superb strike past Cisak.

Coventry levelled at Crawley but the O’s still needed help from Gillingham to remain in League One.

Swindon nearly equalised through Williams but his low shot flew narrowly past the far post.

Jobi McAnuff came on in the final 20 minutes in place of Simpson but all eyes were fixed on results elsewhere.

Swift also went close when he connected with a cross but sent the ball wide.

There was more misery elsewhere as Colchester took a late lead against Preston.

But with the O’s still requiring outside help, Orient threw away their lead after O’Neill conceded a penalty and Williams smashed in the equaliser.

The final whistle blew at Colchester and their victory confirmed Orient’s relegation. A few minutes later the match finished at the County Ground and an abject season for the O's ended desperately with the side finishing second bottom.

Swindon Town: Belford; Branco, Ricketts, Turnbull (Stephens, HT), Barthram; Agombar, Rodgers, Swift, Randall; Williams, Cooke (C Belford, 22) Subs not used: Smith, Barker, Jones, Smith, Marshall

Leyton Orient: Cisak; Omozusi (Lowry, 55), Clarke, Baudry, O’Neill; Cox (Cuthbert, 81), James, Wright, Bartley; Dagnall, Simpson (McAnuff, 74)

Subs not used: Woods, Mooney, Batt, Hedges

Referee: Dean Whitestone

Attendance: 8,609 (1,031 Orient fans)