Danny Hill secured all three points for the Daggers in the 69th minute after another blood and guts encounter with Doncaster Rovers at Victoria Road. Rovers ended with nine men after having Tristram Whitman sent off
in first half stoppage time and then Jamie Price after 87 minutes.
Doncaster are a good footballing side and it is difficult to see why they feel they have to resort to strong arm tactics. Early in the game they had firm control on the game, Whitman in particular causing trouble with his pace and strong running up
the right wing. The Daggers slowly pulled back into it though and the game became more and more even as the half wore on.
Doncaster had a couple of good efforts just wide of the goal, in which Tony Roberts (right) made a welcome return, but the best chance of the half fell to Mark Stein in the 38th minute when his half hit shot was cleared off the line by Jamie Squires.
The half ended in controversy when Tristram Whitman appeared to catch Matt Jones in a bad tackle. Referee Evans produced the straight red card, but Doncaster tempers boiled over and Rovers captain Paul Barnes started what turned into a 21 man brawl. Barnes, who had already been booked, was lucky to stay on the pitch. Whitman however was extremely unlucky as the Sky cameras clearly showed that the challenge was fairly innocuous.
The Daggers made good use thier luck at having a man advantage in the second half, although Doncaster kept two men up and looked threatening on the break. On 62 minutes
Stein had a great shot just saved by Warrington in the Doncaster goal as it looked like the breakthrough had to come. It did seven minutes later when Junior McDougald (left) headed the ball back to Danny Hill on the top of the area and Hill hit his third goal in as many games to send the home crowd wild.
It still looked in the
balance though as Doncaster's ten men pressed forward at every opportunity, but gaps were appearing in the back too which the Daggers wide men were starting to exploit. In one attack a Doncaster forward appeared to catch Roberts foot after he had caught the ball and another melee ensued, then on 87 minutes Jamie Price caught Mark Stein in a two footed tackle and was also shown the red card.
The game closed with the Daggers crowd whistling to the referee as
Doncaster still kept three men up looking for an equaliser even with nine men. At last the whistle did blow and the Daggers are top again.
The result piles the pressure on Boston who travel to Leigh tomorrow having to win to keep the destiny of the title in their own hands. This was a massive win for Dagenham & Redbridge.
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