Dagenham 3 - 1 Rochdale

Rochdale were knocked off top spot in League 2 as they tasted defeat for the first time in five after defensive lapses allowed Dagenham to take the points.

Hesitation between Michael Rose and Gary Dicker ended with Rhys Murphy firing past Josh Lillis. Jack O’Connell’s indecision gave Medy Elito the easy task of doubling their lead. Gary Dicker forced the ball over the line to give Dale hope of a comeback but Elito got his second deep into stoppage time to seal the points.

George Donnelly was preferred up front ahead of Graham Cummins, whilst Jamie Allen regained his place ahead of Bastien Hery.

Dale almost went into the lead inside 20 seconds when Allen played a neat one-two with Donnelly but the young midfielder clipped his shot over the onrushing keeper from the edge of the area.

Moments later Dale were gifted another chance when Lewington’s poor clearance found Vincenti who in turn picked out Donnelly but the strikers shot lacked power.

Those Dale attacks seemed to spark the Dagenham into life and they took the lead with what looked like an easy chance to clear a loose ball; Rose and Dicker left the ball to each other which allowed Howell to feed Murphy and the striker finished well with his first touch.

Dale created numerous half chances but rarely threatened Lewington in the Dagenham goal. Vincenti and Allen headed over whilst Donnelly fired over when well placed.

Donnelly had to go off injured just after the half hour mark and his replacement Cummins went close but his header was cleared off the line by Connors.

Having already been booked in the first half, Joe Rafferty was replaced after just three minutes of the second half had been played by the returning Matt Done.

Soon after Dale were two down. A long ball upfield by Lewington would have caught Murphy offside, O’Connell ducked under the ball to allow it to run through to Lillis but Elito, who was not offside, continued his run. With Lillis out of position, Elito lifted the ball over the stranded keeper.

Dale have been labelled comeback kings in recent games and it looked on again when Gary Dicker forced the ball over the line from close range after Lewington spilled a Tutte cross.

Dale camped inside the Dagenham half looking for the equaliser but just couldn’t beat a stubborn home defence - Lund, Rose and Allen all went close.

Dagenham had done plenty of time wasting during the second half so when the referee signalled five minutes added time, the 180 travelling fans sensed they could get a point.

Rose saw his 20 yard free-kick go agonisingly over.

With time running out, Dicker was caught in possession deep inside his own half by Elito who fired a low shot past Lillis to make sure Dagenham kept their winning run going.

It was a cruel end as Dale possibly deserved something from the game but mistakes at the back were punished by Dagenham.

Attendance: 1742 (180 from Rochdale)

Rochdale: Lillis, Rafferty (Done 48), Lancashire (c), O’Connell, Rose, Dicker, Allen, Lund, Vincenti (Tutte 54), Henderson, Donnelly (Cummins 33)
Subs: (not used) Thomson, Bennett, Eastham, Hery

Dagenham: Lewington, Doe, Saah, Connors (Ilesamni 74), Bingham (Dickson 69), Ogogo (c), Howell, Hines, Murphy (Obafemi 85), Elito
Subs: (not used) Seabright, Scott, Shields, Gayle

Referee: Mr C Berry
Assistant Referees: Mr R Hulme and Mr A Sannerude
Fourth Official: Mr N Hair