Notts County 2-1 Dagenham & Redbridge (FA Trophy Round Two) 11.01.20
Notts County are through to the third round of the FA Trophy after remarkable scenes following a last minute win against Dagenham & Redbridge at Meadow Lane thanks to nothing short of a wonder strike by 38 year-old Kevin Doyle.
The Magpies started bright with Wes Thomas shooting straight at Justham on eight minutes before Shields hit the bar three minutes later with a cross from the left that eluded everyone.
On fifteen minutes Doyle dragged his shot wide before Dennis put the ball in the net only to be called up for Notts taking their free kick too early.
On 21 minutes the away side troubled Fitzsimons in the Notts goal with their first effort on target as Osborne tested Justham in the Daggers goal five minutes later forcing a fine save from the former Luton goalkeeper.
The best chance of the half came for the way of Quigley and the away side just after the half hour when a good move ended with Robinson crossing to the Irish striker who missed at the back post when it looked easier to score.
At the other end Thomas hit a post volleying low from Dennis’s knockdown and the two sides couldn’t force a breakthrough prior to the break.
The second half continued where the first left off with an open game edged by the home side and Notts might have had a penalty on 51 when Thomas went down under the challenge of Clark. The Referee’s decision not to award a foul didn’t go down too well with the home fans but they didn’t have to wait too long as two minutes later as boos changed to cheers when Krystian Dennis turned home Bakayogo’s left wing cross to put Notts 1-0 up.
Doyle might have doubled Notts lead with a clean strike agonisingly wide whilst Thomas went close again on 64 with a similar end result.
The Magpies might have presumed missed chances proved costly as on 76 minutes a left wing free kick for Dagenham was crossed into the box and headed to be saved magnificently not once but twice by Fitzsimons who unfortunately couldn’t keep out Brundle a third time as he stabbed home an equaliser.
With the game looking like going to a replay deep in added on time Justham in the Daggers goal raced out to intercept and clear a through ball with his clearance hit low back towards the half way line where the old man Kevin Doyle was waiting, the Irishman took a touch, looked up and unleashed a perfect left footed drive over a despairing defender racing back towards goal with the ball looping over to nestle home for a remarkable match winner which sets up a third round tie for Notts which is another step closer to a first Wembley appearance since the Anglo-Italian Cup Final of 1995.
Notts County: Fitzsimons, McCrory, Lacey, Kelly-Evans, Shields (Boldewijn 77), Crawford, Osborne, Bakayogo, Doyle, Dennis (Wootton 77), Thomas.
Dagenham & Redbridge: Justham, Deering, Onariase, Quigley, Wright, Brundle, Kandi, Gordon, Clark, Robinson, Croll.
Venue: Meadow Lane
*Main image @Official_NCFC Kevin Doyle the hero after a wonder strike from half way.
