Dagenham 0 Gravesend & Northfleet 4

Last updated : 03 April 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Garry Hill began the countdown to his departure as his Dagenham side took on Gravesend & Northfleet and it seems as though his resignation, which was announced last week, was on their minds throughout the game.

Ben Surey wasted no time in trying to spoil the party as his audacious 25-yard effort narrowly flew past the post.

Ex-Dagger Steve Perkins was the next to test Tony Roberts with a header 22 minutes in but his effort was well held. Just before half-time James Pinnock capitalised on Alan Kimble's sloppy clearance and struck from the edge of the box only to see his effort clatter against the crossbar and rebound back into open play.

The first half may have been slow but the second wasted no time in getting off the ground. Roberts came out to punch clear Lee Gledhill's cross but he only succeeded in setting up Roy Essandoh who bobbled his shot past the grounded keeper.

There was yet more action four minutes later as Chris Piper received his second yellow card for a challenge on Justin Skinner to take the Daggers down to ten men.

Pinnock then rubbed salt into the wound by increasing Fleet's lead as he went one-on-one with Roberts and slotted it past the keeper.

Gravesend then wrapped up the game as Moussa Sidibe crossed for Ben Walshe to tap home to make it 3-0.

It was too easy minutes later when Essandoh back-heeled for an unmarked Walshe to hammer home to complete the second half rout.

Maybe this will leave Garry Hill feeling he has made the right decision.