Jake Reed of Dagenham gets in a shot but fires the effort over the bar in the first half of their game at Northampton. Pic: Dave Simpson/TGSPhoto.

League Two: Northampton Town 3 Dagenham & Redbridge 1

It has been a festive period to forget for Daggers as they slipped to a disappointing 3-1 loss at Northampton.

John Still’s side were 2-0 down at the break after an Abu Ogogo own goal and a Chris Hackett strike put the Cobblers in command.

The visitors looked brighter after the break but wasted key opportunities and that proved costly as Kelvin Langmead bundled in the third, though Scott Doe once again scored a consolation.

Daggers reverted to the side that lost 3-0 to Southend with Matt Saunders over his illness and Jake Reed brought back in place of Josh Scott.

The opening stages were devoid of much action, but most of the possession came the way of the hosts.

Luke Wilkinson got back to deny Jake Robinson’s effort after Chris Lewington could only punch a clearance into his path, while Jake Reed spurned a great chance when through on goal.

It always looked precarious for the Daggers though and in unfortunate circumstances the hosts took the lead after 35 minutes.

Clive Platt caused a nuisance of himself in the box from a delivery in but Ogogo managed to divert the ball past Lewington for his second own goal of the season.

Sam Williams headed narrowly wide as the Daggers looked for an instant response after a great delivery in from Femi Ilesanmi.

But only another four minutes had past when Daggers found themselves 2-0 down for the third game on the trot.

The ball worked its way out to Hackett on the right wing before drifting inside and firing a shot across goal past Lewington to give the visitors another uphill task.

There was a lot more positives to take from the second half as the visitors started on top with Medy Elito and Williams spurning good chances early on, while substitute Brian Woodall looked lively.

They went even closer when Saunders flicked a header against the post from another Elito delivery five minutes into the half.

And they were made to pay a minute later when Langmead bundled home Ben Harding’s corner.

Still the Daggers created chances as Doe headed a Saunders free-kick wide but he didn’t miss a second chance and, as he did against Port Vale, got himself on the scoresheet with a fine 71st minute strike from the edge of the area past Cobblers keeper Lee Nicholls.

Williams then fired straight at Nicholls a minute later as they sensed a late revival, but Northampton weathered the storm and went on to condemn Daggers to a third successive defeat.

Daggers: Lewington, Ilesanmi, Doe, Wilkinson, Ogogo, Elito, Howell, Spillane, Saunders (Caprice 76), Williams, Reed (Woodall 46).

Substitutes not used: Scott, Maher, Hoyte, Bingham, Seabright.

Attendance 4,368 (172 Daggers fans)