Peter Taylor made one enforced change to the side that beat Wrexham on Saturday, with Bagasan Graham replacing Angelo Balanta after the forward hobbled off with a groin injury late in the 2-1 victory.
Barrow entered the match five places above the Daggers in the National League table, albeit just one point clear of the hosts, emphasizing the intense parity within the top half of the division.
Opening Woes
Dagenham struggled to assert themselves in the match’s opening salvos and paid the price with 13 minutes on the clock. Dior Angus latched onto a low driven ball from Josh Kay, only named to the starting XI moments prior to kick-off due to a Brad Barry injury, to open the scoring for Barrow.
Without the creative hub of Angelo Balanta, Dagenham struggled to impose themselves nearly conceded a second when Manny Onariase was forced into a lunging last-ditch tackle to keep Angus at bay in the 23rd minute.
Barrow’s early pressure did pay dividends just two minutes later, Scott Quigley following up from Hindle’s initially saved effort to double the visitors’ lead.
His side struggling to mount any sort of momentum, Taylor went to his bench on 30 minutes bringing in Joe Quigley for Will Wood and sending Bagasan Graham to left-back.
Tactically disoriented throughout the opening stages, the substitution gave the hosts a new dimension. Quigley made an instant impact as he rose above the Barrow defence to nod the ball through to the onrushing Dobson who drew a smart save from Dixon.
Perhaps that chance awakened Dagenham and Luque was next to go close, curling just wide from a tight angle after good link-up play with Kandi.
Quigley’s presence along with the pair of close misses seemed to usher an element of panic into the previously comfortable Barrow side, passes starting to be miscued as Brown and Kay went into the book for late challenges.
Two minutes of first-half stoppage time brought a late onslaught of Daggers pressure, but that attacking threat could not be converted into goals as the first 45 minutes ended 2-0.
Superior Second Half
The best chance for the home side came five minutes after the restart when Luque ran through on goal and beat the keeper with a fierce drive, only to see the effort fizzle of the face of the crossbar.
Despite Dagenham pushing for a route back into the match, it was Barrow who had a golden opportunity to sew up the tie just before the hour mark, Kay curling over after being played through on goal.
Moments later Kandi had a chance to halve the deficit volleying over the bar from the penalty spot.
Barrow now playing dangerously on the break had the next opportunity, Quigley twisting and turning on the byline before forcing Justham into a strong save.
Agonisingly Close
Dagenham seemed certain to grab a goal back when a smart set-piece routine presented Grant with the chance of the match on 75 minutes. The substitute swivelled and fired his shot at goal from just a few yards out, only for a wave of disbelief to descend across the ground as the net refused to ripple, Dixon standing firm to repel the effort.
Fortune refused to favour the home side as the match entered the closing stages, another big chance somehow ending up in the goalkeeper’s hands rather than the back of the net. Kandi turned brilliantly to beat his marker before inducing a goalmouth scramble with a floated cross to the back post. With boots flying all over the place, Dixon smothered the ball to snuff out any late Daggers comeback.
Despite showing signs of resolve in an improved second-half Dagenham failed to exhibit their promotion credentials as Barrow AFC held out for a comfortable 2-0 victory at the Chigwell Construction Stadium.
Daggers XI: Justham, Wright, Oranges, Wood (Quigley 31’), Croll, Brundle, Robinson, Dobson (Grant 54’), Luque, Graham, Kandi
Unused Subs: Gordon, McQueen, Eleftheriou
Barrow XI: Dixon, Brown, Brough, Taylor, Granite, Hindle (Dyson 66’), Rooney, Quigley, Platt (Penfold 79’), Angus (Hardcastle 45’), Kay
Unused Subs: Saltmer, Greaves
Attendance: 1122 (69 away)
