Jimmy Smith was denied two goals for off-side against promotion favourites Southampton, who wrapped up victory with ex-O Lee Barnard's late goal.

The Brisbane Road flop returned to haunt his old team with a breakaway goal, which sunk battling Orient and ended a strong fightback two minutes from time.

He tapped in from Rickie Lambert's squared pass on 88 minutes.

Southampton hit the target in the first half with Lambert's header from Ryan Dickson's cross, 26 minutes in.

Stephen Dawson hit the post late on for Orient, who had had two goals by Jimmy Smith ruled out for off-side during the first half.

It was a frustrating day for Smith, who was forced off injured on the hour mark and replaced by Jason Crowe.

Beating Jóse Fonte inside the six yard box to meet Andrew Whing's in-swinging cross, Smith slotted past keeper Kelvin Davis with just six minutes gone.

But his joy was cut short by the linesman's flag.

Then, amid a scramble in the six-yard box on 42 minutes, Smith turned in Adam Barrett's hit across goal, with Davis prone on the ground.

It was a highly entertaining, end-to-end game at Brisbane Road.

Lambert was at the heart of everything good about Southampton.

But Orient can be satisfied with their efforts.

Russell Slade's side are still only three points off the play-offs, with Bournemouth's defeat to Tranmere Rovers.

Striker Scott McGleish fashioned a chance with an aerobatic volley, which belied his status as one of the oldest players on the park.

Saints keeper Davis was forced to palm the looping effort over bar, after Barrett's speculative ball into McGleish, on 65 minutes.

Minutes later, a header fizzed over the bar from eight yards.

The introduction of Harry Kane gave Orient fresh impetus, with a series of chances during the latter stages of the second half.

McGleish headed just wide on 75 minutes.

Jason Crowe, on for Smith, threatened on the right flank.

Paul Jose Mpoku was given 15 minutes to make a difference, after Slade subbed the more defensive minded Chambers.

A piledriver by Daniels flashed just wide, soon after.

The south coast visitors arrived hotly tipped for promotion, with their fans easily filling the east stand.

But Nigel Adkin's men served up some pretty bog-standard long-ball fare, repeatedly trying to hit Rickie Lambert.

But there was scant sign of Championship quality from the Saints.

However, it was Lambert's guile which was the difference between two evenly matched sides.

The striker making no mistake from Ryan Dickson's left-wing cross on 26 minutes.

Elliot Omozusi, on the near post, had no inkling of Lambert ghosting in behind him.

Jamie Jones in the Orient goal had little to do after the goal.

He was solid collecting the ball and a steady influence behind the Orient backline of Omozusi and Adam Barrett.

Orient's season will not be decided on this result.

Tuesday night's game in hand when Carlisle come to town has now taken on added significance.

Jones (gk), Whing, Omozusi, Cox, Dawson, McGleish, Chambers, Daniels, Téhoué (Kane 57), Smith (Crowe 59), Barratt.

Subs: Butcher (gk), Forbes, Jarvis, Carroll, Mpoku.

Attendance: 7,714 including 3,209 Saints fans.