DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE are within a whisker of the League Two play-offs after a fantastic 3-0 victory at Notts County on Saturday, writes MIKE SIMMONDS. After County had enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges, Daggers took the lead in stunning fashion

COCA-COLA LEAGUE TWO

Notts County 0

Dagenham & Redbridge 3

DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE are within a whisker of the League Two play-offs after a fantastic 3-0 victory at Notts County on Saturday, writes MIKE SIMMONDS.

After County had enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges, Daggers took the lead in stunning fashion when Sam Saunders cut in from the right flank and curled the ball into the top corner with his left foot.

It was the winger's fifth goal in fifth games and the former Carshalton man has now hit 14 this season, a tremendous effort.

Hanging on to his coattails is fellow wide man Matt Ritchie, who thumped home his 11th and 12th strikes, the first, another beauty from distance after County switched off from a quick free kick.

The sight of Ben Strevens limping off at the break was the only downer on another fine display from the visitors, but they shrugged off that disappointment with another great strike by Ritchie in the closing stages.

There was even time for young striker Daniel Charge to make his first team debut as an 84th minute substitute, and the result would have capped a tremendous day for the teenager.

County boss, Ian McParland was rightly disgusted with his side's performance.

"I think our boys went on holiday after we won at Bournemouth last month to virtually make ourselves safe," he said.

"Yet again we created loads of good chances, didn't stick the ball in the net and have had to suffer the consequences.

"With the first goal one of our players was running alongside Saunders when he cut in from the right and although I was saying 'get in a tackle or do something' he never did.

"The second came from a free-kick when we totally switched off. I'm always saying to the players that they should never turn their back on the ball and that's what they did."

Daggers: Button, Foster, Griffiths, Okuonghae, Arber, Saunders (Charge 84), Taiwo, Gain, Ritchie (Montgomery 90), Benson, Strevens (Southam 46).

Subs not used: Hogan, Uddin.

Att: 4,419 (inc 382 Daggers fans).

Was that one of Daggers best performances of the season? Email: sport@ilfordrecorder.co.uk

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