Dagenhams poor record at Christie Park continued today as they went down in the last minute against in-form Morecambe.
The Daggers started the game with one change from the Southend cup-tie, loan signing Ryan Hall coming in for Sam Sloma on the left side of midfield in a 4-4-2 formation. The match itself was an open affair but neither side could really fashion an opening, although Hall looked to be settling in well for Dagenham. It was he who almost opened the scoring on 20 minutes, cutting in from the left, his steered shot looked bound for the bottom corner but was deflected wide of Jalal's goal. From the subsequent corner, Hall had a better chance but put over when under pressure.
Dagenham were affording the Shrimps plenty of space out wide but too often, they didnt have the final pass to match their neat approach play. Gary Thompson was the chief provider for the home side, and one of his crosses from the left hand side eluded everyone in the box, when begging to be turned home. The only other effort of note in the opening period came from Drummond who headed over from a corner under pressure but the Daggers would have been happy with their efforts in the first half.
Dagenham were dealt a blow at half time, Scott Griffiths going off injured to be replaced by Marlon Paterson. Morecombe should have dealt another blow almost immediately as Baker found Thompson in the box but a heavy first touch allowed Thompson to gather. Huke then missed the chance of the match for the Daggers, heading over Halls corner when it seemed easier to score. Huke knew the enormity of the miss. Halls soon went of to be replaced Sam Sloma.
Morecambe were enjoying a prolonged spell of pressure without ever looking to trouble Thompsons goal. Then out of the blue they were awarded a penalty. Jon Boardman dived in recklessly on the forward who was facing away from goal. Ed Thompson though was equal to the task, blocking Bakers poor penalty. The goal galvanised the Daggers who then almost took the lead themselves, Strevens firing over after Slomas excellent cross had fallen to him. Sammy McIlroy through on Curtis and Newby for the hosts as they went all out for the win but although a shot from Gary Thompson was fired over, it was perhaps Dagenham who should have won it. First Huke had another header from a corner that got stuck in the mud and allowed Jalal to gather then Jamie Taylor had a shot on the turn palmed away by the home custodian.
Then, as the game entered injured time and as both teams seem content with a point, Dagenham gave it away. Paterson had posession on the left and looked to thread a pass to Nurse down the line to Nurse when it should have been clipped towards the corner. It was intercepted and switched across to the right back area where a high ball was slung into the box and Blinkhorn headed home. There was no time for Dagenham to respond, another cruel late defeat.
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