ORIENT'S player of the year Matt Lockwood was relieved that, as the sole playing survivor of the O's two play-off final disappointments in recent years, their 3-2 win at Oxford carried them straight up.

With 30 seconds to go at the Kassam Stadium, it looked as if the O's would have to settle for fourth and ready themselves for the play-off lottery.

But Lee Steele's 95th minute winner changed all that and secured automatic promotion - something Lockwood has waited for since joining the club eight years ago.

Speaking at last Saturday's promotion party he said: "Having been involved in two play-off defeats, that win at Oxford meant so much to me.

"If we'd lost and been in the play-offs I'd have had that disappointment in the back of my mind so I was desperate to get the victory.

"That probably showed in the last goal when I was trying to steam round Gary on the overlap and help us score.

"It's certainly a relief to be here at this celebration rather that being involved in the play-off semi being shown in the bar."

Despite being voted into the PFAs divisional team of the year on three occasions during his time at Brisbane Road, this is the first time Lockwood has picked up the club's player of the year award and the 29-year-old defender spoke of his delight of being recognised in that way.

He added: "Everyone's had a fantastic season and there were probably five or six of us who could have got the award.

"I was made up that I ended up getting the vote - it's the first time I've been player of the year since I've been here and I'm so honoured to have won it."

Lockwood also praised the club's supporters, who offered superb backing to the team throughout the season.

"This just shows what it meant to everyone that we've gone straight up," he said. "That so many have turned up at such short notice for the party shows what commitment the fans have and they've been fantastic all year. We appreciate it completely.

"There are some big games next season and we can't wait. We're going to relax and recharge the batteries over the summer but when the season kicks off we'll be right up for it."