Dagenham & Redbridge scrambled a point from a tough, uncompromising game at Belle Vue and, given that once again they played much of the game with ten men, they must view this as a point won rather than two lost. This time the man to go was Lee Goodwin, dismissed for a second bookable offence deep into first half injury time. The fourth official had signalled just two minutes added time, but Goodwin's red card came at least in the 50th minute of the first half as Referee Thorpe lost control.
The first half was an even contest with Junior McDougald and Mark Stein looking lively up front for The Daggers, and Campbell and Patterson having chances at the other end. After 25 minutes Junior McDougald hit the outside of the post after good work by Stein and Heffer had given him the chance. At the other end Campbell and Miller had shots cleared off the line.
In the 42nd minute Mark Stein (left) saw his angled shot hit the inside of the post and run agonisingly across the goal to safety in The Daggers' closest effort.
The game exploded in injury time with Campbell's effort being ruled out for a foul on Tony Roberts in The Daggers' goal and a resulting scuffle leading to raised blood pressure on both sides. In the remaining added time Campbell and Patterson were booked for the home team, as was McDougald for The Daggers, then Goodwin was sent off, and Stein booked for protesting about the red card.
In the second half The Daggers set out their stall to take home the point they had, and replaced Mark Janney with Mark Rooney. McDougald and Stein defended brilliantly from the front, chasing everything throughout, but it was pretty much one way traffic as Doncaster looked for a goal that would win the game.
It wasn't to be though with the visitors hanging on to take an important point. Boston United's home win over Leigh RMI means that they take top spot for the first time since mid September, but other results went The Daggers' way and it looks more and more like it is a two horse race for the title.
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