Rushden will have to keep the champagne on ice for another week after a goalless stalemate at Brisbane Road denied them the Third Division title.
Diamonds now need a point from their final game against second-placed Hartlepool next Saturday to lift the championship.
Rushden boss Brian Talbot said: "I couldn't have asked more from my players. We created the better chances - but it wasn't to be.
"Now it will be like a cup final next week but at the start of March I never thought that we would be in this position when we were 14 points behind Hartlepool.
"I'd rather be in our position now than theirs - but whatever happens we will be celebrating next weekend," said Talbot.
While Orient Manager Paul Brush said: "I felt it was a point gained and we kept a clean sheet which was a welcome change.
"We gave as good as we got and some of our defending was excellent." It was Orient's first goalless encounter in 30 games - but it was Rushden who created enough chances to have won the match.
Stuart Gray set the pattern for the afternoon when his first minute shot was blocked and then he fired the rebound wide.
Paul Hall had a shot pushed away by Orient keeper Glenn Morris, while Gray, Duane Darby and Paul Underwood all had chances in the first half for the visitors.
All Orient had to show for their first half efforts was a back header from Chris Tait which looped over the bar and a shot from Matthew Brazier that Rushden keeper Billy Turley blocked with his feet.
In the second half the home side failed to create a genuine opening as Rushden took a vice like grip - but failed to make the most of their chances.
Bell could have had a hat-trick, while Darby almost won the game in stoppage time only to see home keeper Morris block a close range attempt.