BARKING gained valuable experience and match practice in Saturday s thrilling draw with a Dagenham & Redbridge XI at Mayesbrook Park. The visitors held the upper hand for much of the first period and enjoyed most of the possession, with Leigham Stone maki

BARKING gained valuable experience and match practice in Saturday's thrilling draw with a Dagenham & Redbridge XI at Mayesbrook Park.

The visitors held the upper hand for much of the first period and enjoyed most of the possession, with Leigham Stone making three excellent stops, as a superb tip over and two impressive blocks ensured Barking stayed on level terms.

A half time reshuffle brought on Tuesday's match winner Richard Whiteman and Danny Hopkins for Lee Pyne and Falaise.

Soon afterwards, Mark Doyle replaced Osman and the home side began to take the initiative.

However, Stone made another good save carrying on where he left off, and a corner provided Whiteman with a good chance but he could not get enough on his header and it cleared the bar.

A good move ended with a fine cross by Peter Moore and Danny Gillard's header, although on target, was not powerful enough to trouble the Daggers keeper.

Hopkins then teed up Matt Knight whose shot was too close to the keeper - however, when Whiteman set up the same player, his improved shot smacked the post and bounced away to safety.

With 61 minutes gone Barking took the lead Darr won a free kick 25 yards from goal. Up stepped Knight who placed the ball into the top corner.

The equaliser for Dagenham arrived on 72 minutes, when a free kick was delivered to the far post and Lewis Payne headed past Stone.

Richard Whiteman had the first chance of the final third, when he nipped in between defender and keeper but his shot power legs and was cleared.

Dagenham took the lead when Stone dropped a corner and in the ensuing scramble, Sonny Adams put the ball in the net and his side 2-1 up.

Back came the Blues and Osman set up Hopkins, but he dragged his well hit shot just wide of the goal.

However, another Knight free-kick lead to the second equaliser, as Craig Greenwood's follow up cross was headed home by Scott Borthwick barely a yard from goal.

Two minutes later the home side went ahead again, when a long ball was headed on by Whiteman and Doyle run on and coolly lobbed the keeper.

That was not the end of the scoring though as a long floated cross was headed straight at Stone, who saved, but in the ensuing melee Tyrone Cassius equalised.

Barking: Stone, Falaise, Moore, Greenwood, Wigington, Gillard, Adejokun, Knight, Darr, Pyne, Osman. Subs: Whiteman, Borthwick, Doyle, Hopkins.