by MIKE SIMMONDS COCA-COLA LEAGUE TWO Barnet 2 Dagenham & Redbridge 0 DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE slumped to only their second league defeat of the season after they were well beaten by local rivals Barnet on Tuesday.

by MIKE SIMMONDS

COCA-COLA LEAGUE TWO

Barnet 2 Dagenham & Redbridge 0

DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE slumped to only their second league defeat of the season after they were well beaten by local rivals Barnet on Tuesday.

For some reason, the Daggers were uncharacteristically off their game for the entire 90-minutes, something that manager John Still would not have been expecting, especially against his former club.

The boss decided to make one change to the team that drew with Morecambe on Saturday, as Danny Spiller dropped to the bench and Jon Nurse started on the left wing.

Attacking

Barnet, a side very much with the same attacking tactics as Dagenham, which is to get the ball wide and forward at every opportunity, targeted right back Scott Doe throughout the match, and it paid off.

The youngster had a torrid time up against Yannick Bolasie and was eventually withdrawn after 75 minutes, but not before giving away a first half penalty and picking up a booking.

The signs were there from the opening minute as Bolasie eased past Doe and his shot was well blocked by Tony Roberts, before Scott Griffiths headed the rebound clear.

Good football was at a premium in the opening exchanges as both sides didn't settle, but Barnet always looked the more likely to create the better chances.

Both Bolasie and one-time Daggers target Albert Adomah were always dangerous on the ball, and the visitors struggled to put together any moves of note.

John Still's side were finally broken when Bolasie once again got clear on the left flank and his perfect ball into the box was dispatched on the volley by Paul Furlong, just days before his 41st birthday!

John O'Flynn had two chances to extend his side's lead, but first his touch let him down badly and Roberts was out at his feet, while the keeper then stopped the striker's volley at his near post.

To show how badly Daggers were playing, they didn't even force a corner until well into the half, and their only efforts on target were a free kick from Danny Green that was caught by Jake Cole and Paul Benson shot that was comfortably saved.

With seconds to go before the break, Still would have been desperate to switch ends just the one goal behind to attack down the slope, but disaster struck.

Benson shanked an intended clearance back into the danger zone, and Bolasie eventually picked up possession, but although he was running away from goal, Doe slid in to foul the winger, leaving referee Phil Crossley no choice but to award a penalty.

Conceded

It was the third spotkick that Daggers have conceded in the last three games, and although Roberts had saved one, he had no chance as O'Flynn confident scored.

The game degenerated into a poor quality affair after the break, as Daggers still couldn't get their usual high-octane game going, with far too many balls being pumped out of play.

Barnet weren't a great deal better, as neither Cole or Roberts were overworked and that allowed the home fans to continue their persistent abuse of Mark Arber and then turn their attentions to their former manager too.

Still threw all three of his substitutes on, with Wes Thomas looking sharp, but the closest they came to getting anything was a late Peter Gain drive that clipped the top of the bar.

Daggers: Tony Roberts, Scott Doe (Abu Ogogo 75), Scott Griffiths, Mark Arber, Will Antwi, Danny Green (Graeme Montgomery 70), Stuart Thurgood, Peter Gain, Jon Nurse, Josh Scott (Wes Thomas 70), Paul Benson.

Subs not used: Chris Lewington, Tommy Tejan-Sie, Danny Spiller, Billy Bingham.

Booked: Doe

Attendance: 2,093 (inc 512 away)

Were you at the game last night and if so, what did you make of it? Email: mike.simmonds@archant.co.uk

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