Leyton Orient down Rochdale to go 10 points clear

First-half goals from Ruel Sotiriou and Idris El Mizouni set them on their way to success and, despite a second-half reply from the visitors, they held on for victory as nearest rivals Stevenage drew 2-2 at Newport County.

Ruel Sotiriou came into the starting line-up in place of George Moncur in the only change from Saturday’s game at Walsall.

And after a minutes silence in memory of the club’s record appearance holder Peter Allen, the hosts made a bright start as Tom James saw a dipping effort tipped away by Richard O’Donnell.

Jayden Sweeney was denied by the Rochdale keeper on six minutes, while Kieran Sadlier’s far-post header from Theo Archibald’s cross grazed the post.

Sotiriou fired into the stands after a lovely cross from Sweeney but made amends moments later after an inch-perfect through ball from Archibald to fire a superb first-time finish into the net.

O’s doubled their lead before the half-hour mark when Idris El Mizouni waited for the ball to drop, then smashed a stunning strike into the far corner.

And O’Donnell had to save an angled effort from Aaron Drinan, before Sadlier saw a shot deflected behind and El Mizouni rattled the woodwork from 25 yards on 38 minutes.

Archibald then got back well to block an effort from Max Taylor and preserve the home side’s two-goal lead at the interval.

It was nearly 3-0 within three minutes of the restart as Taylor sliced the ball just over his own crossbar, with O’Donnell then palming away a well-struck effort from James.

And Lawrence Vigouroux made a routine save from a Toby Mullarkey half-volley as the visitors got a brief sight of goal on 53 minutes.

O’Donnell was equal to another attempt from Sotiriou, after he did well to create space for himself on the edge of the box, before Danny Lloyd halved the deficit on 56 minutes.

Richie Wellens sent on Jordan Lyden and Charlie Kelman for Craig Clay and Archibald in a double change just past the hour mark, with Kelman firing over soon after.

Sweeney then made way for Adam Thompson, with Shad Ogie replacing James in the fourth and final change of the night before O’Donnell got down well to save from El Mizouni.

Sadlier fired just over from outside the box with seven minutes of normal time left, then saw O’Donnell hold his free-kick after El Mizouni was fouled on the edge of the area moments later.

But O’s had a late scare in the third minute of stoppage time and were grateful to see loanee Ed Turns deal with a dangerous-looking ball into the box, before Vigouroux got his hands a header in the final seconds.

O’s welcome Crawley Town to Brisbane Road on Saturday (3pm).

Leyton Orient: Vigouroux, James (Ogie 78), Clay (Lyden 63), Sotiriou, Archibald (Kelman 63), El Mizouni, Drinan, Beckles, Sweeney (Thompson 68), Sadlier, Turns.

Unused subs: Byrne, Moncur, Sodje.

Attendance: 6,540 (including 161 Rochdale fans).