Leyton Orient climbed out of the League One relegation zone for the first time since January after snatching a late 1-0 win at Coventry City this evening.

It was a forgettable first half with few opportunities for either side. Coventry took control after the restart and were unlucky not to take the lead after Grant Ward struck the post and George Thomas had a shot cleared off the line.

But just as Orient appeared to be heading for a precious point, Josh Wright fired home from close range to give the O’s a huge boost in the battle to avoid the drop.

Darius Henderson was recalled to the side for the game at the Ricoh Arena. The striker was an unused substitute after being stuck in traffic during the first half of Saturday's win over Port Vale. But he was recalled up front with David Mooney ruled out due to a rib injury.

Nathan Clarke and Shane Lowry were recalled to the defence in place of Gary Sawyer and Luke O'Neill.

Jobi McAnuff and Ryan Hedges were surprisingly named on the bench despite being away on international duty this week. But McAnuff was brought into the side at the last minute after Dean Cox injured his groin in the warm-up.

Henderson fired in an early shot from distance but it was straight into the arms of goalkeeper Lee Burge.

The hosts were handed a free-kick just outside the area but Ward floated his strike just over Alex Cisak’s bar.

Orient had an opportunity from a corner but Lowry’s header was easily saved by Burge.

Fabio Liverani’s side went close to opening the scoring after 28 minutes when Mathieu Baudry’s header flew just past the post after taking a slight deflection.

The O’s had another half chance after Jake Taylor played the ball through but Lowry’s flick rolled into the arms of Burge.

The Sky Blues came extremely close to taking the lead when Frank Nouble sent in a cross and Jim O’Brien’s flick looped inches past the post.

Orient nearly stole the lead before the break when the ball was flicked on and Chris Dagnall headed towards goal but Burge parried his effort.

Coventry almost struck at the start of the second half when Ward cut inside but his superb curling shot bounced back off the post.

The hosts were denied shortly afterwards when Thomas’ shot was superbly cleared off the line by Baudry.

Tony Mowbray’s side kept the pressure on and Ward nearly scored but his effort was turned over the bar by Cisak.

The O’s made their first substitution with Hedges brought on for Taylor despite playing 90 minutes for Wales Under-21s last night against Bulgaria.

Ward was proving a real threat for the hosts and he sent in a teasing cross which forced Cisak to dive for but the ball rolled away from danger.

Orient were struggling to get hold of the ball and it was no surprise when Lloyd James was introduced in place of the tiring McAnuff.

The O’s had a rare counter-attack and Henderson went down amid claims for a penalty but the referee was not interested.

But Orient grabbed the crucial opener with just 12 minutes remaining when Dagnall laid the ball off to Wright and the midfielder blasted home his first goal for the club.

Liverani made a defensive final change as the tireless Dagnall was replaced by Elliot Omozusi.

There were four minutes of injury time but Orient held their defensive line to clinch a huge victory which took them up to 18th in the table. 

Coventry City: Burge; Willis, Pennington, Martin, Stokes; Ward, Fleck, O’Brien (Haynes, 81), Odelusi (Turgott, 82); Samuel (G Thomas, 11), Nouble

Subs not used: Charles-Cook, Thomas, Barton, Phillips

Leyton Orient: Cisak; Lowry, Clarke, Baudry, Cuthbert; McAnuff (James, 68) Wright, Bartley, Taylor (Hedges, 58); Henderson, Dagnall (Omozusi, 85)

Subs not used: Woods, Simpson, Plasmati

Referee: D Bond

Attendance: 8,010 (596 Orient)