A STUNNING strike from full back John Johnson condemned Dagenham & Redbridge to their third successive defeat as Northampton Town emerged with the points at Victoria Road.

COCA-COLA LEAGUE TWO

Daggers 0 Northampton Town 1

by MIKE SIMMONDS

A STUNNING strike from full back John Johnson condemned Dagenham & Redbridge to their third successive defeat as Northampton Town emerged with the points at Victoria Road.

Johnson, on loan from Middlesbrough, took advantage of some sloppy defending to cut inside and fire a cracking strike past Tony Roberts and into the top corner.

There had been precious little goalmouth action up until this point in the first half, Marlon Pack volleyed well over the bar, while Adebayo Akinfenwa had a header claimed by Roberts.

The action improved after the break as Akinfenwa lobbed over, while Chris Dunn tipped Damien McCrory's cross shot around the post, before making a better stop from Jon Nurse's drive that was wrongly awarded as a goal kick.

Johnson then found the net to put the Cobblers ahead, but Town were thankful to keeper Dunn for keeping them ahead as he made an absolutely stunning save from Peter Gain's volley.

Daggers kept pushing for an equaliser but leading scorer Paul Benson spurned two late headers.

Debutant McCrory almost grabbed a last-minute leveller, only his blast was blocked, while Gain had the last chance, but saw his left-footed drive deflected to safety.

Daggers: Tony Roberts, Abu Ogogo, Damien McCrory, Mark Arber, Scott Doe, Jon Nurse (Phil Walsh 80), Marlon Pack, Peter Gain, Darren Currie (Danny Green 70), Wes Thomas (Josh Scott 63), Paul Benson.

Subs not used: Chris Lewington, Romain Vincelot, Billy Bingham, Tommy Tejan-Sie.

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