Dagenham & Redbridge 2-0 Notts County (National League) 25.01.20

Notts County suffered a dagger to the heart of their promotion push as they slipped to a first defeat in ten matches losing 2-0 at Dagenham & Redbridge yesterday.

The Magpies gave a debut to new signing Cal Roberts and started Ross Fitzsimons in goal after recalling him back from Chesterfield following injury to Sam Slocombe.

A tight first half swayed from end to end with Notts going close through Kristian Dennis on two occasions before the home team hit back on 17 when Chike Kandi dragged wide. Dagenham’s Liam Gordan then went close forcing Fitzsimmons to save with his legs before Kandi raced through and blazed over.

Another chance went begging for Dennis before Brundle saw his header tipped over by Fitzsimons and Roberts forced Justham into a save which denied the South Shields born winger a debut goal.

Notts started well in the second half too, Dennis saw a shot blocked and Boldewijn blazed over but on the hour a low corner by the Daggers found Alex Reid who made no mistake in putting the Londoners 1-0 up.

Moments after the goal things got worse for Notts when Kevin Doyle dragged Deering back to receive a second yellow card following an earlier foul in the first half.

10 men Notts re-organised with O’Brien on for Roberts following a long injury lay off one of the few pluses on the day as Neal Ardley’s men conceded with just ten minutes remaining to ensure that they would take nothing back home with them to Nottingham.

Reid tapping in on the rebound his second goal of the game leaving Notts in defeat with the Manager reflecting “We didn’t take our chances. I didn’t think we deserved to lose but when you don’t defend set pieces you’re in with a chance of that.”

County: Fitzsimons, Rawlinson, Brindley, Bakayogo, Roberts (O’Brien 68), Lacey, Rose, Doyle, Boldewijn, Dennis (Thomas 68), Wootton.

*Main image @Official_NCFC Bakayogo races down the wing in defeat for the Magpies.