Leyton Orient’s relegation fears increased after a dire 2-0 defeat at Barnsley this afternoon.

Fabio Liverani is still looking for his first point in charge of the O’s after first-half goals from Conor Hourihane and Devante Cole fired the Tykes to victory.

The hosts were reduced to ten men for the last 20 minutes after goalkeeper Ross Turnbull handled the ball outside the area.

But the O’s could not take advantage of this and slumped to second bottom in League One to leave a bleak Christmas ahead for supporters.

Orient captain Nathan Clarke was ruled out of the match with a thigh strain which resulted in Elliot Omozusi coming into the defence. Gianvito Plasmati also returned to partner Shaun Batt in attack with Dean Cox starting on the bench.

Batt had an early opportunity but he fired his shot well over the bar.

The O’s suffered a terrible start as Barnsley opened the scoring after 13 minutes. Kane Hemmings released Hourihane and he raced clear to round Adam Legzdins and slot into the empty net.

The visitors were forced into an early substitution as Plasmati picked up an injury and David Mooney was brought on.

Orient were really struggling to create any impression at Oakwell and home keeper Turnbull was not tested during a shocking first half display.

It got even worse before the break when Dale Jennings squared the ball and Cole calmly slotted the ball under Legzdins for Barnsley’s second goal.

The supporters were livid and booed the team off in disgust as the half-time whistle blew.

Orient made a second change at the break when Mathieu Baudry was brought on for Omozusi.

Liverani did not hang about and quickly made his final change with Cox replacing Josh Wright.

Cox almost made an immediate impact but he fired a low shot past the post for the visitors.

It should have been 3-0 to Barnsley but Legzdins did well to keep out a volley from Luke Berry.

The O’s finally forced their first shot on target as Cox’s effort was parried by Turnbull.

McAnuff picked up a needless booking for a shirt tug which will lead to a one-match ban for a fifth yellow card this season.

Barnsley were reduced to ten men when keeper Turnbull handled the ball outside the area and was sent off.

But Liverani's side failed to trouble reserve keeper Adam Davies and crashed to their sixth consecutive away defeat. 

Barnsley: Turnbull; Nyatanga, Crainie, Ramage, Holgate; Jennings, Bailey, Hourihane, Berry; Hemmings (Lita, 71), Cole (Davies, 74)

Subs not used: Brown, Treacy, Digby, Oates, Trotta

Leyton Orient: Legzdins; Omozusi (Baudry, HT), Lowry, Cuthbert, Sawyer; Pritchard, Vincelot, Wright (Cox, 53), McAnuff; Batt, Plasmati (Mooney, 17)

Subs not used: Woods, Lee, Agyemang, Dossena

Referee: Mark Brown

Attendance: 8,742 (549 Orient fans)