Dagenham & Redbridge 2 -1 Rochdale

Dagenham scored in stoppage time to come from behind to beat Rochdale in Essex. Andrew Tutte had given Dale the lead from Bobby Grant's pass after Terry Gornell saw his shot saved. Home skipper Abu Ogogo tapped home after Josh Lillis had kept out Brian Woodall’s glancing header and the points were sealed for Dagenham deep into stoppage time when Medy Elito fired in a low drive from just inside the area. 

John Coleman made two changes to his side from last week. Matt Pearson came in for the suspended Joe Rafferty and Brian Barry-Murphy got his first start since September; Jason Kennedy dropping to the bench.

All of the early running was made by the Dagenham as they came out of the traps very quickly, earning a corner inside the first 15 seconds.

A poor header by McIntyre  gave Woodall the chance but Lillis was equal to the shot.

Matt Saunders should have done better when he fired straight at the Dale keeper.

Lillis was called upon again when Woodall’s overhead kick was goal bound but lacked power.

Rochdale came close to breaking the deadlock when Lewington saved well from Grant’s 30 yard free kick. Grant again warmed the hands of Lewington from 20 yards as the home keeper acrobatically kept his shot out.

Rochdale’s defensive frailties almost cost a goal  when a right wing cross was left by Edwards with Woodall firing over from six yards when he should have done much better.

Defender Scott Doe was the next guilty party for the Daggers when he missed from similar range after Saunders’ free kick wasn’t dealt with.

The second half was a slightly livelier affair.

Grimes fired wide and Gornell’s glancing header went close.

Grimes did have the ball in the net but a linesman’s flag cut short the celebrations.

Lillis had to be at his brilliant best to deny Ogogo from close range and did equally as well to stop the follow up.

With 72 minutes on the clock Andrew Tutte edged Dale in front. Terry Gornell’s snap shot was somehow saved by Lewington low down to his left but Grant picked up the loose ball. The striker pulled the ball back for Tutte who fired into the roof of the net from 12 yards out.

Having taken the lead, Dale really needed to push home their advantage but it was Dagenham who hit back to level the score. Full back Hoyte broke down the right and crossed for Woodall whose diving header was well stopped by Lillis but the loose ball fell to Ogogo for an easy tap in.

Dale rallied slightly and had some shots straight at Lewington but couldn’t force another goal.

A heated tangle between Grant and Hoyte in the closing stages unsettled the two sides with both players cautioned.

With the game drifting towards a draw, Dagenham snatched the winner deep into stoppage time. A mistake by Cavanagh when clearing out wide allowed Sam Williams to run at the Dale backline before feeding Elito, the winger firing beyond Lillis for the winner.

It’s a thirrd straight defeat for John Coleman’s side with the supporters starting to get a little restless as they have seen their side take just six points out of the last 30 available.

Rochdale: Lillis, Pearson (Kennedy 65), R Bennett, P Edwards, McIntyre, Tutte, Gornell, Grimes, Cavanaugh, Barry-Murphy (Craney 86), Grant
Subs: (not used) Smith, Putterill, Minihan, Donnelly, Adebola

Dagenham: Lewington, Wilkinson, Ilesanmi, Doe, Williams, Elito, Saunders, Howell, Hoyte, Ogogo, Woodall
Subs: (not used) Seabright, Spillane, Scott, Reed, Maher, Caprice, Bingham

Referee: Mr S Rushton
Assistant Referee: Mr R Hodges & Mr G Russell
Fourth Official: Mr R Kendall