DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE S play-off hopes took a blow on Monday when they were beaten 2-1 at Gillingham, courtesy of a late goal by forward Dennis Oli. There were minutes remaining when Oli beat Daggers keeper Tony Roberts to the ball to head into the net and

DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE'S play-off hopes took a blow on Monday when they were beaten 2-1 at Gillingham, courtesy of a late goal by forward Dennis Oli, writes MIKE SIMMONDS.

There were minutes remaining when Oli beat Daggers keeper Tony Roberts to the ball to head into the net and gives the Gills all three points.

Manager John Still was aggrieved at the result, as he felt his side deserved something from the game.

"We're disappointed with the result, with the greatest respect to Gillingham, I think they got away with it," said Still, after Sam Saunders had equalised Mark McCammon's early strike.

"I thought we deserved something from the game. From the moment they scored, we were the better team. We worked hard, I can't remember Rob (Tony Roberts) having much to do, and I thought their goalkeeper looked unbelievably edgy.

"His kicking was poor, he put his back four under pressure, and that made them uncertain. We would have been happy with a draw, but even at 1-1 we were pushing men on because we want to win games."

Gillingham boss Mark Stimson was naturally delighted with his side's late show.

"We had to make sure we matched Dagenham in effort and if we did that the quality would come through and it did," he said.

"Dennis Oli was big and brave and he got there before the goalkeeper to score the winner for us. It was always going to be a tight game and we knew that if we weren't ready defensively they could catch us. The back four defended really well.

"It was a good start to the game and a great finish!"

How unlucky were Daggers yesterday? Email your views to: sport@ilfordrecorder.co.uk

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