James Brophy believes Saturday’s 2-0 defeat of National League title rivals Wrexham is the sort of win which ensure Leyton Orient secure promotion to League Two.

Brophy completed the victory with an expertly dispatched lofted effort at the death after Macauley Bonne had given the O’s the lead after reacting quickest to a loose ball four minutes from time.

The result leaves Orient three points clear of Salford in what is proving to be an increasingly engrossing race to be crowned National League champions.

And Brophy, who made a telling impact at Wrexham after being introduced 20 minutes from time, believes success against Orient’s fellow title candidates will have a big say in the destination of the National League trophy.

With how the league is and how tight it is at the top after 20 games, we know the big games against the teams that are in and around you would be the important games,” Brophy told the Orient website.

“To come away from home against this big team is a real marker for how we have progressed this season.

These are the games where you need to lay down a marker. If we want to be challenging for an automatic promotion place we need to be picking up points against teams in and around us. It is a really big three points.”

Brophy came on as Orient looked for a decisive go ahead goal after withstanding heavy pressure from their hosts in both the first half and after the break.

His finish for the all-important second goal was a memorable one as the Wrexham keeper ran from his line and headed straight to Brophy.

The midfielder wasted no time in sending an instant volley back over the head of the home side’s keeper and into the net.

Brophy’s impact was exactly the sort Orient boss Justin Edinburgh had called for when sending him on in place of James Dayton.

The 24-year-old was pleased to have made an impact and was quick to praise the sharp goal poaching reaction of Bonne which gave the Brisbane Road club the lead.

“The manager told me to go and show what I have got, go out there be direct and create chances and I think I did that,” he said.

“We were under a lot of pressure and we dealt with a lot early in the second half before managing to score the goals at good times.

“Macca has a knack of being in the right place at the right time. He did that today and that is why he gets so many goals and he will add to his tally for us this season.

“I saw the keeper come out, held my position and then just made sure I got a clean connection. I did that and luckily it went in the back of the net.”