Leyton Orient’s play-off hopes were officially ended as they fell to a 1-0 defeat at AFC Wimbledon.

This result coupled with Portsmouth’s 2-1 win at home to Wycombe Wanderers means it is mathematically impossible for the O’s to finish inside League Two’s top seven.

Lyle Taylor’s 21st goal of the season in all competitions proved to be the difference as the visitors struggled to break down their hosts.

Not long before kick-off, it was announced the O’s would be without top scorer Jay Simpson due to injury with Ollie Palmer coming in.

Peter Ramage and Sammy Moore, playing against his former club, also came in for the O’s in place of Jerome Binnom-Williams and Nigel Atangana respectively.

But despite not having their talisman, the visitors started positively which a spell of possession in the home side’s half.

They also had the first chance of the match two minutes in when Dons’ goalkeeper Kelle Roos could not grab Nicky Hunt’s cross, feeling the pressure of Ollie Palmer, but Blair Turgott’s effort went over.

Their energetic start nearly came crashing down though as former O’s loanee Andy Barcham forced a good save from Alex Cisak in the eighth minute after cutting past Nicky Hunt with ease.

Connor Smith also had a good chance to put Wimbledon ahead in the 14th minute, but his header from a Callum Kennedy corner was poor.

They did take the lead not long after though as Taylor bagged his 20th league goal of the season after strike partner Tom Elliott had a shot blocked in the six-yard box.

Taylor nearly doubled the lead minutes later, but Cisak’s fine save low to his right prevented a second.

Cisak was fast becoming Orient’s player of the match and in the 34th minute, he was called upon again as Taylor nodded the ball down for Elliott to rasp a shot away, but the goalkeeper punched it away.

After making a promising start, it had become all Wimbledon in the first half as Orient struggled to create any chances.

Armand Gnanduillet did have the first opportunity of the second half though, but his strike from the edge of the box was tame and saved comfortably.

Just like the first half, Orient made the brighter start, but they could not break down the hosts' defence.

A breakdown of communication between Gnanduillet and Palmer saw a chance wasted 12 minutes into the second period as the forwards could not decide who wanted to shoot when the ball was lofted into the area.

Eventually Palmer did, but his effort went over.

A goalmouth scramble nearly gave Gnanduillet an opportunity in on goal, but he was not able to find a way through a sea of blue shirts.

Barcham, who made 25 appearances for Orient in the 2007/08 season, should have made the points safe with 20 minutes left when Barry Fuller’s cross found him, but the winger’s shot went straight into Cisak’s gloves.

Orient’s day was summed up with about 15 minutes remaining when the ball fell to Gnanduillet in the box, but the Ivorian somehow scooped an effort over, despite having all the time in the world to pick his spot.

Late on, lovely build-up play by Fuller and substitute Sean Rigg set up Adebayo Azeez, but his effort hit the side netting.

AFC Wimbledon: (4-4-2): Roos, Fuller, Robinson, Charles, Kennedy, Francomb (Rigg 70), Bulman, Smith, Barcham, Elliott, Taylor (Azeez 77).

Subs not used: Shea, Akinfenwa, Fitzpatrick, Sweeney, Murphy.

Leyton Orient: (4-4-2): Cisak, Hunt, Baudry, Brisley, Ramage, Clohessy (Kashket 76), James, Moore, Turgott (Semedo 85), Palmer, Gnanduillet.

Subs not used: Sargeant, Payne, Binnom-Williams, Jahraldo-Martin, Pollock.