Gravesend & Northfleet 1 Dagenham 2

Last updated : 25 November 2003 By Footymad Previewer

Dagenham & Redbridge's mini revival continued as they came from behind to clinch their third win in four games with a strong second-half display at Gravesend.

Trailing 1-0 at the break, they got back on level terms seven minutes after the break through Chris Piper, before Steve Watts grabbed the winner with a minute left in normal time.

Gravesend, looking for their first home win since September 20, took the lead on 16 minutes, with both teams down to ten men.

Fleet new boy Dennis Oli, making his home debut on loan from QPR, collided with Daggers defender Lee Matthews and both needed lengthy treatment.

Matthews continued, although suffered a cracked tooth while Oli left the field to have his head bandaged after suffering a nasty wound.

While they were off Gravesend won a corner. Ben Walshe took it finding Chris Moore at the far post and he headed down for Andrew Drury to score his third goal of the season from close range.

Steve McKimm went close twice for the home side but efforts on target were few and far between.

Dagenham were forced to make an early change two minutes after the break. Tim Cole, who spent a spell on loan with the Kent club last season, limped off to be replaced by Mark Janney, and his arrival on the pitch seemed to give the Daggers the spark they had been missing.

Within five minutes the Essex side were level.

Watts set up Piper and his run into the box ended with a shot that beat Fleet keeper Paul Wilkerson.

The game was a very watchable affair in difficult conditions on a wet and windy night but it was Dagenham who continued to dominate.

With the clock ticking down they grabbed the eventual winner. A corner by Paul Bruce caused problems in the Fleet defence and Watts popped up to hit the winner again from close range.

Referee Paul Melin added on four minutes of added time due to various stoppages and Gravesend missed a great chance to snatch a point.

Drury's cross picked out Steve Perkins but, stretching, he only succeeded in lifting the ball over the bar.