Match Report: Exeter City 1-2 Dagenham & Redbridge
Line-UpsEXETER CITY: Olejnik, Woodman, Holmes, Davies (Oakley 80'), Nicholls, Moore-Taylor (capt), Reid (Morrison 81'), Nichols, Tillson, Grant, Brown (Noble 80').
SUBS: McAllister, Ribeiro, Hamon, McCready.
Goals: Nichols 43'
DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE: Cousins, Passley, Labadie (capt) (Boucaud 46'), Dikamona, Chambers (Cureton 76'), Doidge (Vassell 73'), Raymond, Hemmings, Dunne, Obileye, Hoyte.
SUBS: O'Brien, Nosworthy, Jones, Widdowson.
Goals: Labadie 11', Chambers 75'
Referee: Graham Harwood
Report
EXETER CITY's difficult run continued as goals from Joss Labadie and Ashley Chambers earned a 2-1 win for Dagenham & Redbridge at St James Park.
Troy Brown returned to the starting eleven for a fixture that survived heavy rain thanks to the work of the City ground staff, while David Noble took a place from the bench as he continued his return from his injury absence. Former Grecian Jamie Cureton was on the bench for the Daggers in John Still's first game back at the helm, while another ex-City player in James Dunne started for the visitors.
After Craig Woodman headed clear from an Ashley Chambers cross just seconds in, the opening ten minutes belonged to City. Lee Holmes had a shot saved after a one-two with Joel Grant, while Jamie Reid came in from the right flank to have an effort blocked.
But just as the first ten minutes came to an end, the visitors put themselves in front. Captain Joss Labadie was allowed a free header, which looped in slow motion into the net, with Bobby Olejnik scrambling but unable to get through the crowd. Labadie almost helped himself to a similar second as he headed wide from a free-kick, but Alex Nicholls should have pulled one back from Lee Holmes' cross barely seconds later.
Holmes would be involved as City drew level just before half-time. It was his corner, again into the danger area, that was bundled in by Tom Nichols, who had a free-kick saved in first-half injury-time.
HALF-TIME: EXETER CITY 1-1 DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE
Just minutes after the restart, Tom Nichols was taken out in the Dagenham penalty area. With the only two options being a spot-kick or a corner, the referee, who was miles away, gave a goal-kick.
The second half saw plenty of rain fall as both sides pressed for the match-winning breakthrough, but a goal would go the away side's way with fifteen minutes to go. A top cross by Ashley Hemmings was headed in powerfully by namesake Ashley Chambers. Chambers then left the field, making way for Jamie Cureton, who was warmly received by the home support.
Alex Nicholls almost pushed his way through as the match ticked into injury-time, but the best chance for City went to Joel Grant, who crucially took a touch rather than shoot.
Four defeats in a row for City - now thoughts turn to the FA Cup.
FULL-TIME: EXETER CITY 1-2 DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE
Attendance: 3,451 (84 away)
Man of the Match: Lee Holmes