DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE were dealt a harsh lesson at Victoria Road last night as they slipped to a comprehensive defeat to Notts County.

COCA-COLA LEAGUE TWO

Daggers 0 Notts County 3

by MIKE SIMMONDS

DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE were dealt a harsh lesson at Victoria Road last night as they slipped to a comprehensive defeat to Notts County.

The reverse saw them drop out of the play-off places for first time this season, as a quickfire double either side of half time ensured Daggers suffered a fourth defeat in five games.

In fairness, the home side had dominated the first half territory-wise, but paid the price for never fully testing keeper Kasper Schmeichel, and far too often their crossing from both flanks never beat the first defender.

Vicinity

Contrast that to County's frontline, where Lee Hughes, love him or hate him, looked dangerous every time the ball was in his vicinity, while Ben Davies, buoyed by his free kick against Wigan Athletic, was a constant menace.

How Daggers missed manager John Still too, as he continues to recover from an operation. Without him bellowing orders from the touchline, the hosts looked a little lost at times, and short of ideas.

Danny Green gave an early indication of the theme the night would take, bursting past his man, only to slam a cross well over the bar.

At the other end, it should have been 1-0 almost immediately, as Neil Bishop flicked the ball over for Hughes, who looked at least a yard offside.

No decision was given though, and the former West Brom man fired his shot the wrong side of the post. It was a huge let-off as the striker is usually so prolific from that distance.

Daggers attacked in fits and starts, but they did appear to gather some momentum, when Green found Abu Ogogo and his cross was headed over by Josh Scott.

The bustling forward then sent a volley wide of the target, with Schmeichel providing a spectacular dive, obviously for the cameras.

The main problem Daggers were having was their delivery, as too often the crosses were easily cleared by defenders, or when they reached the danger area, neither Scott or Paul Benson were in the right place.

Scott sent another effort fizzing over the bar, before a lovely move by the visitors involving Craig Westcarr and Davies saw Karl Hawley's close-range volley well saved by the legs of Tony Roberts.

County had their tails up and when Danny Spiller was caught in possession, Hawley played in Westcarr, but his aim was off.

It was the prelude to the visitors taking the lead though as Scott Doe was caught out by a long ball forward, but recovered to make a fine sliding challenge on Hawley.

Unfortunately the rebound only came out as far as Davies and he steadied himself before bending a delicious effort over Roberts and into the top corner.

The goal came just moments before the break, and if that was bad enough, worse was to follow with the second half just underway.

Green gave away a needless free kick in a dangerous area and Davies' wicked ball into the box wrong-footed Roberts and bounced into the corner of the net. Hughes claimed he had the final touch, and the goal was awarded to the striker, but it remains dubious whether it did actually flick off his balding dome.

There appeared no way back from Daggers after the two-goal burst, but you have to give credit to the hosts as their heads didn't drop and they gave it their all to try and find a way back into the game.

Unfortunately they lacked the quality in the final third to really test the County defence, who easily coped with the high balls pumped forward to both Benson and Scott.

The visiting fans were almost celebrating again, but for a great save by Roberts, who blocked Davies' volley, while another fine move saw Hughes stand up a cross that Bishop headed goalwards, but Doe tracked back to clear off the line.

If Daggers were to get something from the game, they needed a response quickly, but Benson swivelled and shot over, Scott delayed his effort too long and Schmeichel beat the danger away, before the opportunity of the night fell for Benson.

Acres

A free kick clipped the head of a County defender and fell for Daggers' leading scorer in acres of space, but from a matter of yards, he put his header straight down the throat of the keeper.

With that went any hopes for the home side and assistant boss Terry Harris threw on Darren Currie and Wes Thomas for Scott and the disappointing Marlon Pack, but it was to no avail.

Hughes showed lovely technique to put a volley straight into Roberts' hands before the third goal came, in fortunate fashion.

By now, Ade Akinbiyi had entered the fray and he played Bishop's pass into the feet of Hawley, whose scuffed shot deflected off Ogogo and beat Roberts to find the net.

Daggers: Tony Roberts, Abu Ogogo, Jamie Day, Mark Arber, Scott Doe, Danny Green (Graeme Montgomery 79), Danny Spiller, Marlon Pack (Darren Currie 69), Peter Gain, Paul Benson, Josh Scott (Wes Thomas 69).

Subs not used: Chris Lewington, Romain Vincelot, Jon Nurse, Phil Walsh.

Attendance: 1,916 (inc 306 away fans).

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