James Dayton and Macauley Bonne score as Leyton Orient beat Barnet 3-1

Both sides went in on level terms at half-time as Wesley Fonguck’s superb strike cancelled out Josh Coulson’s early opener in an entertaining first half.

But it was the influential Dayton who put the O’s back in front with twenty minutes remaining as he curled a fine effort into the top corner and Bonne would seal the victory when he smashed home at the second time of asking, after his initial effort had struck the post.

Substitute James Alabi almost made it four late-on, but it was an excellent display from Orient in the final 20 minutes which secured the East London side the victory.

O’s boss Justin Edinburgh named an unchanged starting line-up for the seventh game running, but there was one change on the bench, with Dale Gorman, fresh from helping Northern Ireland’s Under-21s beat Spain, replacing Alex Lawless.

Meanwhile, Barnet’s injury woes continued but manager John Still made two alterations to the side which beat Maidenhead United last weekend, with fit again top scorer Jack Barham and David Tutonda replacing Joe Payne and Byron Harrison.

Both teams looked to get the ball down and play early on but it was Orient’s Jobi McAnuff who had the first shot on goal in the third minute, as he cut in onto his right, but his effort from 25-yards forced a comfortable save from Barnet goalkeeper Mark Cousins.

The O’s continued to cause problems in the opening ten minutes, with Joe Widdowson doing well to win the ball back, before kick-starting a counter attack which involved Craig Clay and Bonne. Bonne then worked it to Josh Koroma, who took a touch before unleashing an effort from 25-yards which went just wide courtesy of a deflection.

But it was Barnet who had the first clear cut opportunity of the game moments later as quick play set Elliot Johnson free down the left and the full-back’s cross found Josh Walker on the edge of the area, but his effort went comfortably over the bar after initially doing well to skilfully turn away from his marker.

Edinburgh’s men would punish Barnet for that missed chance, as they would take the lead seconds later through centre-back Coulson. After Bonne was brought down 30-yards out, McAnuff’s resultant free kick released Charlie Lee around the back of Barnet’s defence and his header back across goal found Coulson, who was left with a simple finish from close-range to hand Orient the lead.

Orient would have doubled their advantage just before the 20 minute mark if it weren’t for a great save from Barnet’s Cousins, who superbly palmed away Bonne’s powerful header after the O’s top scorer was picked out by McAnuff inside the area.

Ekpiteta then did well to prevent Jack Taylor with a free shot at goal, but the Bees would get back on level terms moments later through an excellent strike from Wes Fonguck.

The Barnet midfielder was found on the edge of the area by Cheye Alexander and expertly sent a first time volley past the helpless Dean Brill to brilliantly get Still’s side back on level terms.

That goal seemed to energise the visitors, who were playing some lovely football at times, and good defending from O’s goal-scorer Coulson prevented Jack Barham with a free header at goal following Johnson’s teasing cross.

Back came Orient though, who won a corner after good play between McAnuff and Widdowson down the left and the latter was found from the resultant set-piece, but couldn’t get his effort on target.

Alexander then sent a free-kick from a promising position comfortably over the bar in what proved to be one of the last actions in an entertaining first half.

Having scored an excellent opener in the first half, Fonguck tried his luck from range once again following the re-start after the O’s defence backed off, but this time his effort was straight at Brill.

O’s boss Edinburgh had seen enough and made a double change on the hour mark, with Gorman and Alabi replacing Lee, who had picked up a knock earlier in the second half, and Koroma.

After such an entertaining first half, it was perhaps inevitable that the game would enter a lull, but O’s winger Dayton would light up Brisbane Road when he put Orient back in front with just over twenty minutes remaining.

Clay did well to win the ball back in the middle of the park and showed good intelligence to release Dayton, who had made a great run down the right.

The wide-man left Barnet’s Tutonda for dead when he cleverly cut in, before curling a lovely effort into the top corner to hand Orient the lead.

Dayton almost doubled his tally for the afternoon seconds later when Bonne’s flicked header set him free down the right, but the former Cheltenham Town man’s effort across goal flashed just wide of the post.

The O’s wide-man was causing all sort of problems down the right and he did excellently to stay on his feet to ride a Barnet challenge to square for Bonne, who missed his kick, and somehow, Alabi couldn’t bundle the ball home at the far post.

But Orient wouldn’t have to wait long to make it three and it was Bonne who made up for his earlier error.

McAnuff was the creator, showing great pace to get to the by-line, before cutting back to Bonne, whose first effort smacked the post, but the O’s front man was first to the rebound and smashed home to make it three.

Substitute Alabi almost added further gloss to the score-line when he showed great strength to turn away from his marker inside the area, but his effort agonisingly trickled wide of the post with the aid of a deflection.

Orient and their supporters were enjoying themselves and a fine passing move was almost rounded off by Bonne at the far post, but Dan Sweeney slid in to cut out Alabi’s teasing cross.

That would be Bonne’s final involvement, as the O’s striker was replaced by Matt Harrold for the final few minutes.

Alabi had caused Barnet’s defence problems with his pace after coming on and he almost added a fourth once again on the stroke of full-time, as he raced in behind the Bee’s back line, but the ball got caught under his feet and the chance was gone.

Adams then flashed a late effort wide of the post for Barnet, but Orient saw out four minutes of added time to secure another three points on home turf.

Leyton Orient: Brill (GK), Judd, Ekpiteta, Coulson, Widdowson, Dayton, Lee (Gorman, 60), Clay, McAnuff ©, Bonne (Harrold, 87), Koroma (Alabi, 60).

Subs (Not used): Sargeant (GK), Happe.

Barnet: Cousins (GK), Sweeney Robson ©, Johnson, Alexander, Adams, Taylor, Fonguck (Kyei, 77), Tutonda (Payne, 67), Walker (Mason-Clark, 65), Barham.

Subs (Not used): Matrevics (GK), Sparkes.

Booked: Walker (43).

Referee: Peter Gibbons.

Attendance: 5,607 (610 Barnet fans)