Leyton Orient moved a step closer to relegation from League One after losing 1-0 at Rochale this evening.

Rochdale grabbed the breakthrough midway through the second half when Ian Henderson fired into the corner of the net.

But Orient failed to threaten an equaliser and only excellent goalkeeping from Alex Cisak kept the score down.

The defeat leaves survival out of Orient’s hands and with it all to do to avoid relegation with just two games left.

Fabio Liverani made five changes to the side which was thrashed at MK Dons on Saturday. Elliot Omozusi replaced Scott Cuthbert with the defender with his partner ahead of the birth of their child.

Dean Cox made his return from injury while Josh Wright started in place of Jobi McAnuff and Lloyd James. Ryan Hedges was also preferred to Jake Taylor and David Mooney replaced Jay Simpson in attack.

Hedges almost played in Marvin Bartley early on but goalkeeper Josh Lillis raced out to claim the ball.

The hosts threatened through a teasing cross by Peter Vincenti but Henderson was just unable to get a touch on the ball.

Cox fired in a volley but it was comfortably saved by Lillis and the keeper also held a header from Mathieu Baudry.

Cox had another opportunity but he blasted his effort over the Rochdale bar.

The hosts almost opened the scoring from Michael Rose’s free-kick but Henderson headed over the O’s goal.

Rochdale came even closer to the opener but Baudry superbly blocked Jamie Allen’s fierce strike.

Orient replied and Mooney narrowly chipped the ball over the hosts’ bar.

Rochdale struck the O’s bar shortly before the break but Henderson’s effort would not have counted because the offside flag had been raised.

The hosts almost netted at the start of the second half but Rhys Bennett’s header was tipped round the post by goalkeeper Cisak.

Orient responded and Chris Dagnall fired in an effort which was too close to Lillis.

The O’s made their first substitution when Bradley Pritchard was brought on in place of Hedges.

Rochdale grabbed the opening goal after the ball was played to Henderson and he blasted it into the corner of the net.

Liverani made another change with James coming on for Wright as the visitors searched for an equaliser.

Simpson was also thrown on for the closing stages of the contest in place of Cox.

The hosts should have sealed the win when Allen raced through on goal but he fired wide.

Rochdale again threatened a second goal but Henderson’s shot was block and Calvin Andrew’s follow up was brilliantly saved by Cisak.

The home side pressed again and Henderson’s header was superbly kept out by the O’s keeper.

Orient's attacking threat in the second half was virtually non existent and they could have no complaints after their third successive defeat left them heading for League Two. 

Rochdale: Lillis; Eastham, Lancashire, Kennedy; Cannon, Bennett, Rose, Tanser, Allen (Andrew, 81); Vincenti, Henderson Subs not used: Rafferty, Diba Musuangu, Logan, Camps, Bunney, Noble-Lazarus

Leyton Orient: Cisak; Lowry, Baudry, Clarke, Omozusi; Cox (Simpson, 77), Wright (James, 70), Bartley, Hedges (Pritchard, 64); Dagnall, Mooney

Subs not used: McAnuff, Batt, Sargeant

Referee: Darren Drysdale

Attendance: 1,914