The Blues started brightly, with Michael Dixon seeing his curling effort from just outside the box tipped on to the bar by Clapton goalkeeper Jack Francis after 10 minutes.

It took another 20 minutes for the next chance of note.

Some good interplay sent Dixon through on goal from a narrow angle, but Francis again denied him.

The goalkeeper came to Clapton’s rescue once more five minutes before half-time when Jack McQueen met Celeany Filho’s far-post cross, only to see his header saved by Francis’ feet.

The quality of the game dipped after the break, but Barking finally made the breakthrough on the hour.

An excellent cross from Josh Gruby evaded Dixon, but Charlie Thomson stole in at the far post to guide the ball home.

And, like London buses, a second goal followed almost immediately.

Ali Mansaray found Ryan Pickles on the edge of the box and he lifted the ball into the area.

Dixon attempted to bring it under control with his head but was caught by a high boot and the referee pointed to the spot.

Pickles stepped up and continued his impressive form from the penalty spot, sending Francis the wrong way and finding the bottom corner to double Barking’s advantage.

The game became more open as Clapton pushed forward, but Barking’s defence remained resolute and goalkeeper Lee Haylock did not have a save to make.

In fact, Barking looked the more likely side to add to the scoring, but efforts from Thomson and substitutes Sonny Dutton, Teddy Bowden and Dan Thompson failed to find the target.

The Blues nevertheless comfortably saw out the game to claim three important points and a clean sheet.