So Colchester United will go into the final weekend of League Two fixtures with an opportunity to seal a play-off place.

It is a notable achievement in itself, given the adversity John McGreal’s squad have had to overcome in what has become a memorable campaign.

The bizarre circumstances surrounding their vital win at already-relegated Leyton Orient served as the latest instalment in an eventful season for a Colchester squad which has been robbed of the services of key players throughout; the latest, a serious knee injury which has potentially ruled out influential wing-back Brennan Dickenson for nine months.

When the U’s trudged off the pitch having conceded two late goals to lose at Yeovil Town and extend a winless run to ten matches last November, it left them languishing just a place above the relegation zone.

Now they have an opportunity to beat the same opponents in their final game and attempt to seal a play-off place which had looked most unlikely, not so ago.

Fittingly, it promises to be a dramatic finale to the season.

Colchester lie tenth; more significantly, they are just a point outside the top seven, having gone five games unbeaten.

The U’s are one of seven teams in contention for the last two play-off spots, going into the last instalment of matches.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Colchester could extend their season for three further matches and return to League One at the first time of asking.

But should they just fall short, they will nevertheless be able to take much from the last few months.

Ironically, there was also fan protests the last time the U’s met Leyton Orient back in November; the disgruntlement that took place then was on a considerably smaller scale to those witnessed in E10 but the tiny minority of Colchester supporters who voiced their frustrations six months ago will no doubt be delighted by their side’s transformation in fortunes.

The sad demise of Orient, a club with great history built essentially in the community, perhaps further emphasises the healthy state the U’s are in as a football club.

They have given themselves a chance of an exciting finish to the season but should they not win promotion, the foundations are at least there for sustainability and future prosperity.

The last time Yeovil on the final day of the season, they won promotion.

Let’s hope that it is a lucky omen for them, this weekend.