Upminster Daggers - Dagenham and Redbridge FC Fan Site

Dagenham & Redbridge

0

Football League 2
Victoria Road

Tuesday 4th December 2007 

Another home game, another defeat for the Daggers but the scoreline dosent tell the full story as Dagenham were good enough for a point against the league leaders and maybe more.

John Still made 2 changes from Saturdays cup win over Kidderminster, Magnus Okounghae coming in for the injured Danny Foster and Jon Nurse earning a start after Saturdays impressive cameo, replacing Chris Moore. Within 2 minutes of the start, Dagenham should have been on front, Paul Benson racing through a static back line to fire Ben Strevens through ball against the inside of the post and away to safety. This open start continued as the theme for the half, Jemal Johnson looking impressive having a shot saved by Roberts and also Lewington forcing a save from the welshman. He was powerless however to stop the only goal of the game from Drissa Diallo. Dagenhams inability to defend set-pieces reared its ugly head again, Diallo being given the freedom of Dagenham to head home Lewingtons corner.

It looked like the floodgates would open at this stage, Johnson dragging a shot wide and also forcing a block from Roberts. Keeper Gueret and full-back Lewington were both booked for time-wasting before the half was up, giving the Daggers the sense that Mk were there for the taking.

The second period starting sluggishly, Dagenham trying to up the tempo whilst being repelled by the MK Dons solid back-line. Things looked bleak for Dagenham as Benson limped off just short off the hour to be replaced by Chris Moore. Moore indeed should have levelled for the home side, failing to steer home a flicked header from Shane Huke. Dominic Green on for Sloma forced a save from Gueret after a jinking run and also showed some nice touches and good delivery from wide situations. Then Jon Nurse headed onto the bar from close range and at this point it looked like Daggers luck was out. Dagenhams last effort on goal was a stinging Anwar Uddin free-kick that was beaten away by Gueret. It arrived at a nice height for the away custodian and he dealt with it well. There was still time for the Dons to breakaway and earn a penalty after Boardmans trip on Cameron. Lloyd Dyer smashed his kick against the outside of the upright, a second goal for the Dons would have been very harsh on Dagenham.