A frustrating day all round for the East London side, with Dagenham and Redbridge suffering their first lost since February, as they become the next victim to high flyers Hartlepool United.
Luke Armstrong’s free header in the 44th minute proved to be the only difference between the two sides.
The game had started well for the Daggers, gaining the first chance of the game at the three-minute mark. Myles Weston was able to hook a cross into the box which was met by Scott Wilson’s head but he was unable to hit the target, going over the crossbar.
Another chance came for the home side on 16 minutes when a Mohammed Sagaf pass found Wilson, leaving the striker one on one, but Hartlepool stopper Ben Killip was ready to pounce and get rid of any threat.
Chance After Chance
The chances then kept coming from the home side as they had two opportunities within a couple of minutes just before the half an hour mark. Sagaf had his shot blocked from an opposition defender, resulting in a corner.
From the set piece, Angelo Balanta rose for a header but missed the target by the smallest of margins.
Just a few minutes later, the Daggers were at it again. Hartlepool were awarded a corner, but Elliot Justham was able to claim it and distribute it down the other end for a Daggers counter-attack. Balanta crossed the ball to Wilson who managed an effort from the inside of the box. Killip was again brought into action and forced the save.
Heartbreak For Daggers
Pools, Luke Armstrong eventually broke the deadlock on 44 minutes when he was given far too much space in the box, capitalising with a free header.
Immediately afterwards, Hartlepool nearly found themselves two up. Gary Liddle hit the goal frame from close range after a cross from a set piece.
The hosts then spent much of the second half on the back foot, unable to continue their heroics from the first half against their promotion pushing opponents.
After blazing their previous two attempts over the bar, their best chance in the second half came from substitute, Paul McCallum, when his threatening header had to be collected by Killip.
A disappointing result for The Daggers, but not a poor performance by any stretch, with stopper, Elliot Justham, earning Man of the Match for the hosts.
The loss sees Dagenham and Redbridge retain 16th position in the table, but they now find themselves just seven points off 7th placed Bromley.
Managers Thoughts
Speaking to Daggers TV, manager Daryl McMahon was, “very proud of the performance again, the boys, they were excellent, I thought, particularly in that first half, we created numerous chances and played some really good football and in the second half we did the same. I thought we took the game to them.”
Next Up
The Daggers host Torquay this upcoming weekend. It will be another tough battle, with Torquay currently sitting third in the table, pushing for promotion.
Featured Image Credit: Gavin Ellis/TGS Photo – ‘Elliot Justham’
