Barnet produced one of their best performances of the season to severely dent Leyton Orient’s Play-Off aspirations and indicate that it might not be too fanciful an idea to suggest that the Bees themselves could have ambitions in this area next season following their 3-0 victory today.

Bees head coach Martin Allen made six changes to his line-up from the side that had been embarrassed by a 4-2 reversal at Morecambe the previous week; the defence being strengthened by the return of keeper Jamie Stephens, Elliott Johnson, Michael Nelson and Bira Dembele.

Michael Gash partnered John Akinde up front in a 4-4-2 formation; the system often preferred for home matches.

Orient, backed by a large away following lacked urgency and intent throughout as the Bees established their dominance from the opening exchanges.

Andy Yiadom was the first to create any danger when he burst down the right flank and he was rewarded by the first of many Barnet corners.

A teasing delivery into the middle from the left by Johnson found Curtis Weston whose header went narrowly wide before Weston again had a shot that was a fraction wide of the target as the Bees took the game to the O’s.

On the 25th minute Barnet forged ahead when James Pearson, from a wide position on the right, put in a marvellous centre that picked out Akinde whose header was steered into the bottom corner, leaving the Orient keeper Alex Cisak helpless and stranded.

Soon after Stephens produced two fine saves from Nigel Atangana as Orient staged a brief rally, both of which drew extended applause from the Barnet faithful.

Orient were given a gilt-edged opportunity to level in the first few minutes of the second half when Yiadom was guilty of a clumsy challenge on Jerome Binnom-Williams to concede a penalty. Stephens then produced another top-quality save to keep-out Lloyd James’ spot-kick and the O’s would never again come close to levelling the scores.

Moments later Weston allowed the ball to run to Sam Togwell on the edge of the box to shoot goalwards, the ball took a deflection and wrong-footed Cisak for the midfielder’s first-ever goal for the Bees. After almost two seasons without finding the back of the net only a pedant would deny Togwell his moment in the sun.

Orient then visibly wilted as the Bees were in almost total command of the fixture.

Then with almost an hour played Weston’s long pass in the direction of Akinde, who then showed great strength and determination to out-muscle Cisak to bundle the ball over the line Barnet’s third of the afternoon, acted as a signal for Orient supporters to head for the exit.

Orient striker Armand Gnanduillet was introduced from the bench with the game over as a contest and the Frenchman came close on two occasions but it was too little and far too late to influence the outcome.

The nature of this victory will live long with Barnet fans - it was comprehensive in every aspect.

Barnet: Stephens, Pearson, Nelson, Dembele, Johnson, Yiadom, Weston (Stevens 80), Togwell, Gambin (Muggleton 85), Gash (Shomotun 63), Akinde. Subs not used: Stack, N'Gala, Champion, Sesay.

Leyton Orient: Cisak, Hunt, Brisley, Ramage, Binnom-Williams, Atangana, James, Jahraldo-Martin, Nolan (Koroma 63), Palmer, Simpson (Gnanduillet 67). Subs not used: Clohessy, Shaw, Baudry, Turgott, Gregory