Aldershot Town 3 Dagenham & Redbridge 1

Last updated : 11 March 2006 By Footymad Previewer
Aldershot manager Terry Brown was critical of his side after the 4-1 midweek mauling by Accrington Stanley, and demanded an improvement, as many of his players were playing for contracts for next season.

Well, respond Aldershot did, running out 3-1 winners against a spirited Dagenham & Redbridge side at the Recreation Ground.

First-half goals from Darren Barnard's pile-driver and a well-taken Ryan Williams goal, were followed by Gary Holloway's spectacular overhead kick after the break.

With the score at 2-0, Craig Mackail-Smith pulled the Daggers back into the game and threatened to put Dagenham in contention, but Aldershot held on for the victory.

Aldershot took the lead on 20 minutes with left-back Barnard striking a lethal 20-yard screamer past the desperate dive of Tony Roberts.

It was no more than the Shots deserved after a passage of play which saw chances fall to Holloway and Jonny Dixon. Holloway was unlucky not to win the Shots a penalty when his shot struck Danny Foster's arm.

Dixon's swooping header early in the half was wide of Roberts' post and the on-loan striker was then substituted on the half-hour mark with a hamstring injury.

The Shots doubled their advantage in first-half stoppage time. Williams accelerated out of his half to combine with the willing Leroy Griffiths. With Steve Watson in support, the ball found itself in the path of Williams and, after an unwitting dummy from Griffiths, Williams found the target from close in.

For all their midfield possession, the Daggers could only manage a first-half Sam Saunders looping shot, which Nikki Bull collected comfortably.

Dagenham brought on Cliff Akurang for Foster at the beginning of the second half, and their bright beginning yielded a goal on 69 minutes. Glen Southam found Chris Moore on the left, and his delivery to Mackail-Smith enabled the forward to slot past Bull.

Dagenham then had two excellent chances to claw themselves level when Moore and Griffiths went close.

Aldershot responded with the goal of the game from Holloway six minutes from the end. Williams' inswinging corner found the head of Tobi Jinadu and, with his back to goal, Holloway swivelled and beat Roberts with an overhead effort.