Dagenham & Redbridge boss John Still

Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Second Round: Southend United 2 Dagenham & Redbridge 0

Dagenham & Redbridge bowed out of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy in disappointing fashion at Southend United.

There was a bright start from the Daggers as Brian Woodall saw his shot just tipped wipe, but that was as good as it got for John Still’s side until the closing stages of the half.

After nine minutes, a nice move started down the left by Sean Clohessy saw former Dagger Gavin Tomlin and Britt Assomnbalonga combine well for the latter to see a shot well saved from Chris Lewington.

Woodall fired handsomely over at the other end two minutes later, but Femi Ilesanmi was forced to clear Assombalonga’s goalbound effort after the Daggers defence were undone by a long ball over the top.

But parity did not last much longer as a pinpoint ball in from Kevan Hurst after 17 minutes found Ryan Cresswell in the box and from close range his glancing header went in off the inside of the far post.

Medy Elito saw a shot deflected behind for a corner on the half hour mark but Matt Saunders had the best chance with a minute left of the first period when his half volley from the edge of the area was well saved by Smith.

After a quiet start to life in the second half, Smith almost gifted Daggers a leveller on the hour mark when a clearance from Hoyte’s ball in looked easy to gather, but he somehow edged it over the bar.

But two minutes later and the Shrimpers had doubled their advantage through a mistake at the back from the visitors.

Lewington had come out expecting a back pass but Luke Wilkinson sliced the clearance into the path of Assombalonga and the Watford loanee fired into an unguarded net.

John Still made a triple sub immediately after the goal with Dwight Gayle, Sam Williams and Dominic Green all coming on and it certainly made a difference.

Gayle fired a shot wide of the target then hit the post all in a matter of minutes.

A slip up at the back from Southend allowed Gayle to play in Williams but his shot from the edge of the area was well saved by Smith.

But try as they may they couldn’t find a way back into game and Southend had a late chance to add a third when Tomlin played in David Martin but his goalbound shot was cleared by Ilesanmi.

Daggers: Lewington, Hoyte, Wilkinson, Doe, Ilesanmi, Howell, Elito, Saunders, Reed (Williams 62), Woodall (Gayle 62), Danny Green (Dominic Green 62)

Substitutes not used: Spillane, Seabright.

Attendance: 2,965 (348 Daggers fans)