Justin Edinburgh trialled a new formation in the 2-1 victory away to Havant & Waterlooville at the weekend. The O’s manager played five at the back with Josh Coulson, Marvin Ekpiteta and Dan Happe all starting in central defence.
The tactical change saw Jordan Maguire-Drew play behind strikers Macauley Bonne and Jay Simpson, which proved to be a masterstroke with the youngster opening the scoring with a sensational 30-yard strike.
Both Coulson and Ekpiteta played the full 90 minutes as they returned to first-team action, with Coulson netting the winner. However, Myles Judd will miss the rest of the season with a serious hamstring injury.
James Dayton may feature on Tuesday night as he returns following a knee injury, whilst Josh Koroma should return next Saturday as Orient host league-leaders Wrexham.
Stern Test
The Bluebirds fell to only their second defeat in 15 games, losing 3-1 to Barnet at The Hive last time out.
A superb recent run of form has seen Ian Evatt’s side pick up a point against both AFC Fylde and Wrexham, as well as a fantastic 3-2 victory at home to Salford.
The hosts are unbeaten on home soil in seven outings, with Eastleigh the last side to come away from Holker Street victorious.
Drew Diligence
Jordan Maguire-Drew has been in hot form of late, helping the O’s pinch vital victories in both the National League and the FA Trophy.
The former Brighton man scored a screamer to put Orient one goal to the good at the weekend. Usually a winger, the 21-year-old played behind O’s forwards Bonne and Simpson in a central-attacking midfield role.
One week prior, Maguire-Drew came from the bench to help his side through to the semi-final of the FA Trophy. His corner-kick was headed home by Dan Happe in the 83rd minute, ensuring the O’s safe passage to the semi-final.
Form Book
| Havant & W 1-2 Leyton Orient | Barnet 3-1 Barrow |
| Brackley Town 1-2 Leyton Orient (FA Trophy) | Barrow 0-0 Ebbsfleet |
| Leyton Orient 0-1 Maidenhead | Sutton 0-1 Barrow |
| Hartlepool 1-1 Leyton Orient | Barrow 1-1 Bromley |
| Leyton Orient 1-0 Blyth Spartans (FA Trophy) | Chesterfield 0-0 Barrow |
| Leyton Orient 3-0 Maidstone | Barrow 0-0 Halifax |
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | PTS |
| Leyton Orient: 3rd | 34 | 18 | 10 | 6 | 30 | 64 |
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | PTS |
| Barrow: 12th | 35 | 12 | 10 | 13 | -3 | 46 |
All Square
Macauley Bonne bagged a second-half brace as the two sides shared the spoils at the Breyer Group Stadium in the reverse fixture.
Raul Correia nicked a point for Barrow, poking the ball past Dean Brill to level the scores at 2-2 with five minutes remaining.
When and Where?
The game will be played this Tuesday 5th March at Holker Street, home of Barrow, with kick-off schedule for 19:45.