Newport County AFC 2-3 Dagenham & Redbridge
Despite a late rally Newport County AFC were defeated by Dagenham & Redbridge at Rodney Parade this afternoon. County dominated the game but were denied multiple chances by Dagenham goalkeeper Mark Cousins and the clinical London side found the net three times in the last quarter of the game. The Exiles managed two late consolation goals but it wasn’t enough and Jimmy Dack’s club now have a much harder task to reach the play-offs.
Off the back of an optimistic performance against Southend United on Tuesday night County entered this afternoon’s game knowing it was a must win encounter. The home side attacked and commanded the first half creating a number of close chances. Yan Klukowski came close with a volley and moments later Ryan Jackson almost broke the deadlock.
In the second half County continued to improve and create chances, Aaron O’Connor picked off a low cross and fired a shot goalwards from short range but a awesome stretching save from Cousins denined the home side the lead. Youngster Regan Poole later managed to send a volley towards goal from a corner but the resilient Dagenham keeper again managed to fingertip the ball away.
After 77 minutes of County dominating play a superbly worked free kick found Ashley Hemming whose hard flicking header found the net. As silence surrounded Rodney Parade Dagenham managed to double their lead; Welsh striker Christian Doidge broke into the box and made a clinical finish to break Newport’s hearts. A very well worked goal from the away side! Just when Dagenham knew the game was won then Alex Jakubiak stepped up to convert a attacking move to give the Daggers a convincing three goal lead.
County replied through David Tutonda who scored a fantastic solo goal, involving racing past a number of defender and slotting a ball into the goal. Aaron O’Connor then picked up a pass and excellently executed the ball into the far left of the goal but it was too late to make any significant difference to the match.
For Wayne Burnett’s side today’s result was excellent but the Daggers sit in midtable and are aiming to build on that next season, for Newport County the play-off dreams look to be over. County face their last away game of the season at York City, they’ll need a lot of results to go their way if they can mount a challenge for a play-off place!
