Vanarama National League: Dagenham & Redbridge 2 (McQueen 39, 42) Harrogate Town 1 (Leesley 83)

Dagenham & Redbridge ended a run of five straight defeats in the Vanarama National League with a 2-1 win at home to Harrogate Town.

A quick-fire brace from Alex McQueen at the end of the first half put Daggers in control of the match.

Town threw everything at it in the second half and pulled one back, but the Essex club did enough to hold on.

Following Tuesday’s FA Cup replay defeat to Boreham Wood, Daggers boss Peter Taylor made six changes.

Revent additions Emmanuel Onariase, Nathan Smith, Jack Munns and Angelo Balanta were handed their first starts, while Harry Phipps and Ben Nunn were recalled to the starting XI.

It took until the 32nd minute for the first shot on target to be registered, with Daggers stopper Elliot Justham producing a brilliant save low down to keep out a Mark Beck header.

Six minutes later, only a sublime stop from James Belshaw prevented Tomi Adeloye from putting the Essex club ahead with a bullet header from a corner.

Daggers, though, did find the breakthrough in the 39th minute when McQueen found the target.

McQueen raced on to a flick-on from Tomi Adeloye, before dinking the ball over the onrushing Belshaw.

McQueen was soon at the double as he netted the second goal for the Victoria Road outfit three minutes later.

The midfielder made the most of a loose ball inside the Harrogate half, beating Liam Kitching before lashing home from the edge of the area via the post.

It was a goal that ensured Daggers took a commanding lead over the Sulphurites into half-time.

Taylor’s men were given a let-off six minutes into the second half when a corner from the right sailed to Kitching at the back post, but the defender blazed a powerful shot over from close ranage.

Harrogate continued to pile the pressure on and it eventually told seven minutes from time.

Winger Joe Leesley cut in from the left and breezed past a string of Daggers defender, before firing his effort in off the underside of the bar.

Town continued to press in search of an equaliser, but were kept at bay by a series of sublime stops from Justham.

Thankfully, that proved enough for Daggers to hold on to their advantage until the final whistle despite a barrage of Harrogate attacks.

Taylor’s men will hope for more success on Tuesday night when they visit Dover Athletic.

Daggers (4-2-3-1): Justham; Nunn, Onariase, Goodliffe, Smith; Robinson, Phipps (Donovan 90+2); McQueen, Munns (Reynolds 82), Balanta; Adeloye.

Subs: Moore (GK), Pennell, Mullings.

Harrogate (4-4-2): Belshaw; Burrell, Howe, Langmead, Kitching; Falkingham, Emmett, Thompson, Leesley; Thewlis (Muldoon 18), Beck.

Subs: Cracknell (GK), Agnew, Williams, Kerry.

Referee: Carl Brook.

Attendance: 1,446 (including 108 Harrogate fans).