Rochdale 0 Dagenham & Redbridge 2

Last updated : 04 October 2008 By Footymad Previewer
Dagenham returned to winning ways with a victory that was far easier than the scoreline suggested.

Against lacklustre hosts, John Still's side controlled proceedings virtually from the off and thoroughly deserved the win that cements their place in the top six.

Dagenham started much the quicker and after just nine minutes, Paul Benson was unlucky to see his effort cleared off the line by home defender Scott Wiseman.

Ten minutes later, defender Magnus Okuonghae missed a great opportunity from a Sam Saunders' corner.

The visitors took a deserved lead after 31 minutes when Ben Strevens fed the ball out to Matt Ritchie and his pinpoint cross was slid home from close range by Benson for his eighth goal of the season.

The home side mustered one decent effort before the break in the dying seconds of the half when Adam Le Fondre saw his curling effort well saved by veteran goalkeeper Tony Roberts.

On 65 minutes, Benson was unlucky not to double his side's lead when he saw his header from a Saunders' free-kick rebound off the crossbar.

Just four minutes later though the points were made safe when Saunders was the provider of a cross from the byline that saw home keeper Sam Russell save brilliantly from Benson only for Ritchie to head home from the closest of ranges.

As in the first period, the home side didn't manage a worthwhile effort until the end when teenager Will Buckley saw his goalbound effort cleared off the line by Mark Arber, who had returned to the side after a facial injury and played throughout in a protective mask.