Dagenham 3 Doncaster 3

Last updated : 14 December 2002 By Footymad Previewer

Dagenham & Redbridge shared a thrilling draw at Victoria Road against championship hopefuls Doncaster Rovers, in what was the best game the ground has witnessed all season.

A frenetic opening was followed by an explosive match which saw six players booked and six goals scored.

Paul Barnes gave the visitors an ideal opening when he headed Jamie Paterson's corner dangerously across goal and the ball deflected into the net off the unfortunate Steve Potts.

The Daggers pushed hard but never really found the answer until later in the half, although Junior McDougald and John McGrath both caused goalkeeper Andy Warrington to make brilliant finger-tip stops.

Doncaster looked slightly stronger in the first period, but it was neck and neck all the way and McGrath struck a minute before the break with a crisp low shot to put Daggers on level terms at the interval.

Doncaster started the second half in the same manner as they began the first with an early goal as Barnes capitalised on hesitancy in the backline and sweetly volleyed them in front for the second time.

But two minutes later and the best move of the match resulted in Daggers equalising following a move on the right which led to a Steve West tap-in.

The Daggers now look the stronger of the two sides. West was brutally effective, while McDougald was at his fleet-footed best and it was his cross which led to West heading the home side in front with 20 minutes remaining.

But within four minutes Doncaster were level. BarnesÂ’ cross from the left was met superbly by the head of Robert Gill who found the far corner of the net.

Gill may have won it late on when he broke clear but Tony Roberts kept his low shot at bay.

Daggers manager Garry Hill was disappointed not to have won the game, whereas Rovers manager Dave Penney was angered at twice letting the lead slip.