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Darlington 2 Dagenham & Redbridge 3 |
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Written by Administrator
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Saturday, 26 April 2008 |
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| Darlington
2
Ravenhill 20
Arber 52 og
| Football League 2 The Darlington Arena
Saturday 26th April 2008 | 3 Sloma 63 Rainford 66 pen Benson 74
| Dagenham and Redbridge secured their League 2 status for another year on a day of high drama in Darlington. Starting the day just 1 point and 1 place above the relegation trapdoor, they did what they had to whilst Mansfield failed in there quest to take things to the final day.
Anwar Uddin was again unfit, as was Ross Smith, but with Shane Huke returning, Jon Nurse dropped to the bench with the team switching to 4-4-2.
It was evident from the early exchanges that the difficult playing surface would play a big part in proceeding with keeping the ball difficult. The experience of the conditions helped Darlo early on as Abbott had a couple of efforts go close. The best early chance fell to the Daggers though as Bensons effort was blocked by keeper Stockdale. Dagenham then get a break as the lively Abbott pulled up with a recurrence of his recent injury yet within minutes, Darlo were ahead. Wright broke through but was brilliantly tackled by Huke but the Dagenham rear-guard switched off allowing Wainwright to deliver to the unmarked Ravenhill to head home via the post even though Roberts got a strong hand to it.
Unfortunately for the Daggers, even though they had the lion share of possession, they were struggling to make any real headway and apart from a late headed chance for Saunders, they only had pot-shots to show for their efforts.
The second period couldn't have started any worse for the Daggers. Southam was caught on half-way gifting the ball to Raey. He swapped passes with Wainwright but was beaten to the return ball by Arber who could only watch in horror as he lobbed the stranded Roberts into his own net. With Mansfield still level at Field Mill, Daggers were in the bottom 2 and looking unlikely to get anything here.
Inspiration came from an unlikely source however through Sam Sloma who was only just on as sub for Glen Southam. Strevens is the architect, getting behind the Darlo back line to cut back. Sloma, took his time after the ball took a wicked bounce, cutting back onto his right foot before just forcing over the line. Sloma has a habit of scoring vital goals. Within 3 minutes, the game was turned on its head as the Daggers drew level and were now playing ten men. Saunders, bursting into another wide open space was brought down ten yards out in front of goal and referee Deadman had no hesitation in showing the red card and awarding the penalty. Rainford stepped up to smash home into the roof of the net and the Daggers sensed the game was there for the taking. Within 8 minutes they were in front. Again Strevens got in down the right and his cut back found Sloma whose effort deflected into the path of Benson. His effort was squeezed in with the help of a defender and triggered wild celebrations.
At this point, Dagenham should really have put the game to bed, breaking at will and missing chances to secure their safety. The support knew that Mansfield were behind but there was still time in the final moments for Roberts to, perhaps fittingly, make another outstanding save from a badly defended set-piece. As the full time whistle blew, the elated Dagenham players huddled in front of the travelling following to await the news that Mansfield had lost and Dagenham were safe. The Daggers had come from behind to win for the first time this season and what a time to do it on a day of high drama.
| Darlington vs Dagenham: Match Report | Weekend Report | Player Ratings | Photos | Match Photos Site: Player Ratings | UD Attendance |
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