League Two: Burton Albion 2 Dagenham & Redbridge 1
Billy Kee came off the bench to strike twice and deny the Daggers their first points of the season at Burton Albion.
Jamie Cureton had put the visitors into a worthy first half lead, but Kee and fellow subs Marcus Harness and Matty Palmer changed the game as Kee slotted home a penalty, before scoring the second a minute from time
Daggers made three changes from Tuesday’s Capital One Cup exit to Brentford, with Jack Connors, Luke Howell and Jamie Cureton all re-instated at the expense of Damian Batt, George Porter and Joss Labadie.
It was a solid start from both sides and Liam O’Brien came out well to to gather Lucas Akins’ header.
Ashley Chambers looked lively once again for Wayne Burnett’s side and a nice run saw the space just open up in front of him, but his tame left-footed effort was easily gathered by home goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin.
The movement of Cureton was once again excellent and a lovely ball over the top from Matt Partridge found the striker who produced a lovely back heel.
Unfortunately no-one was able to race on to it, though the early signs looked promising.
However it wasn’t much longer before Cureton opened his league account for the Daggers when a ball through was flicked on nicely by Ashley Hemmings for the run of Cureton and he slotted past the onrushing McLaughlin.
Chances after that were at a premium for both side, but the Daggers defended much better as a unit when called upon.
Stuart Beavon, on loan from Preston, went the closest to a leveller when directing Alex MacDonald’s centre over the bar.
No changes were made at the break by either side, but the Brewers enjoyed their first real spell of pressure.
The ball worked its way to MacDonald who paced into the box but the effort was smartly blocked behind by O’Brien.
From the following corner a goalmouth scramble ensued, however Howell was able to clear.
Daggers broke quickly though and skipper Abu Ogogo curled an effort just wide from 20 yards, but the tide turned ever so slightly in the hosts favour.
Another corner was only half cleared and it fell invitingly for John Mousinho to try his luck and his dipping effort just went over the bar.
Daggers were sitting back a lot more as the half wore on and Beavon tried his luck from 25 yards but the low effort was held by O’Brien.
Another scramble in the visitors box saw Howell clear off the line, before penalty appeals were waved away seconds later when the same Dagger went in with Billy Kee.
But Howell did fall foul of the referee six minutes from time when he was adjudged to have brought down Marcus Harness in the box.
Kee stepped up to take the penalty and though O’Brien went the right way the effort was low into the bottom corner.
It was a matter of hanging on for the point, but the Daggers were cruelly denied for the second game in succession.
And it was Kee who proved to be the man of the moment as the ball was played into him just outside the six-yard box.
He took one touch, turned his man and shot low across goal past O’Brien to seal a come-from-behind victory for the Brewers as Daggers wait for their first league point goes on.
Burton Albion: McLaughlin, Taft, Cansdell-Sherriff, Sharps, Edwards, Akins, Weir, Mousinho (Harness 77), MacDonald (Palmer 60), Beavon, Knowles (Kee 60)
Unused substitutes: Lyness, McFadzean, Slade, Doyle.
Dagenham & Redbridge: O’Brien, Partridge, Doe, Saah, Connors, Ogogo (Goldberg 90), Howell, Boucaud (Labadie 72), Chambers, Cureton (Porter 72), Hemmings
Unused substitutes: Cousins, Green, Gayle, Raymond.
Attendance: 2,150.
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