Leyton Orient 2 Barrow 0

It was the tale of two Daniels as Barrow’s survival hopes suffered a blow after a first defeat in five games.

Goals from Daniel Happe and Daniel Kemp did the damage as the battling Bluebirds returned from the capital pointless.

And the defeat was compounded by positive results from the teams chasing them.

Southend picked up a goalless draw at play-off chasing Exeter City, whilst basement boys Grimsby beat promotion contenders Bolton Wanderers.

Rob Kelly’s charges are eight points clear of Southend, and nine points ahead of Grimsby with just five games left.

But Barrow will be disappointed they failed to take their chance to fire themselves all but clear of danger.

Kelly made a solitary change after Tuesday night’s impressive victory over Exeter.

Ollie Banks returned to the Bluebirds’ midfield as injured Kgose Ntlhe missed out.

The visitors started brightly in the capital as Luke James agonisingly failed to get on the end of Patrick Brough’s drilled ball.

And the dynamic duo linked up once again as James’ tame effort failed to trouble O’s stopper Lawrence Vigouroux.

The hosts threatened through Louis Dennis before James squandered a glaring chance at the near post.

And James missed another chance as he fired wide of the mark.

There was a hearts in mouth moment for the Bluebirds when Jamie Turley headed home, but the referee spotted a foul of goal-keeper Joel Dixon in the build up.

And Banks inexplicably headed Chris Taylor’s corner just wide with easily the best chance of the first half.

Star striker Scott Quigley saw a strike deflected wide after Barrow countered at pace.

Down the other end, James Brophy went close with a curling effort after cutting in from the left-hand side as the half ended goalless.

It was the hosts who started the brighter of the two sides after the break.

Dixon produced a fine save to keep out Conor Wilkinson’s effort after he got on the end of Dennis’ cross.

But Happe forced home a corner just a minute later to give the O’s the lead.

And it was two in the 63rd minute as Brophy emphatically fired home a low finish after cutting in off the right.

Kelly rung the chances as he tried to salvage something out of the contest.

Tom Beadling volleyed wide as the Bluebirds tried to mount a late rally.

Substitute Dimitri Sea almost grabbed a consolation in stoppage time as his volley from the edge of the box went just wide.