Daryl McMahon’s Daggers side will be looking to secure a spot in the FA Cup Third Round as they travel to face League Two side Gillingham in a Second Round replay on Thursday evening.
High Stakes Tie
If the tie remains a draw at full time, extra time and penalties will follow. After the conclusion of the Third Round Draw last week, the winner of this replay fixture will host Premier League Leicester City in the next round.
Forced Replay
The Daggers travel to the Priestfield Stadium on Thursday night after being left heartbroken in the reverse tie, as Gillingham snatched a 91st minute equaliser to force a replay almost a fortnight ago.
The Daggers took the lead in the game with ten minutes to play through Joshua Walker, before the away side drew level in the dying embers of the game, substitute Scott Kashket striking into the roof of the net to retrieve a replay for the Gills.
Dagenham head into the clash off the back of defeat to Torquay United at the weekend. Will Goodwin put the Devonshire side ahead just moments before the half-time interval, putting an end to the Daggers’ six game unbeaten run.
The Opposition
The visitors Gillingham go into Thursday’s match also looking for a return to winning ways following a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Salford City on Saturday.
Neil Wood’s Salford put in an outstanding second-half performance against Neil Harris’ Gillingham, with Theo Vassel, Ryan Watson, and Callum Hendry all on the scoresheet.
Magnificent Mandron
Striker Mikael Mandron has been a notable performer for the Gills so far this season since re-signing in the summer on a free transfer, following his departure from Crewe Alexandra.
The French forward returned to ME7 off the back of a two-year spell with Crewe, bagging 24 goals in 85 appearances with The Railwaymen.
Mandron has also made an impact in the FA Cup, netting in Gillingham’s First Round triumph over AFC Fylde back in November.
In Gillingham’s Carabao Cup Third Round 1-1 draw against Premier League opposition in Brentford, Mandron scored the all-important late equaliser to send the tie to penalties, with the Gills winning the shootout and claiming a huge cup upset.
Edited by Josh Morton.
