IT IS now five consecutive wins for Accrington Stanley after leaving the Glyn Hopkin Stadium with an impressive 2-1 victory.
Had it not been for Grays Athletic's 3-1 win at Crawley Town, Accrington would have been sitting on top of the Nationwide Conference table.
John Coleman's men are level on points with the Essex side, but sit in second spot due to goal difference.
There were no goals by the half time interval, but Accrington certainly had the better of the first period. Coleman agreed and suggested that "if it had been a boxing match, the game would have been stopped in the first half. We totally dominated and missed chance after chance."
Gary Roberts was instrumental in most of Accrington's attacking play and had a great chance to open the scoring early on. Released by an intelligent pass from Chris Butler, the winger attempted to lob Dagenham keeper Tony Roberts, only to see the ball land on the roof of the net.
Stanley thought they had taken the lead on the half hour mark. Gary Roberts' low cross along the face of the goal was turned in by Paul Mullin. The referee's assistant deemed that Mullin was in an offside decision and the goal was ruled out.
Chris Moore had Dagenham's best chance with a ferocious shot from the edge of the penalty area. Darren Randolph in the Accrington goal did well to parry the ball to safety.
Coleman's half-time team talk had the desired effect as he saw his side open the scoring just four minutes into the second half. Once again Roberts' was heavily involved as he burst clear of the home defence. The former Crewe man saw his shot blocked but the ball fell kindly to David Brown who walked it into an unguarded net.
Stanley's noisy band of travelling supporters had more cause for celebration as they doubled their advantage courtesy of a penalty that was hotly disputed by the home side.
In the end, the referee decided that Glen Southam had tripped Anthony Barry in the area and Ian Craney duly sent the keeper the wrong way.
The visitors were made to work hard for their victory as Dagenham pulled a goal back to set up an exciting finale. Craig Mackail-Smith sent over a low cross from the right hand side that was turned in from close range by Tresor Kandol.
The Daggers pushed forward in a search for an equaliser. They were awarded an indirect free-kick barely six yards from goal after Craney was adjudged to have passed the ball back to Randolph. Moore fired the free-kick straight into a determined Stanley wall.
Coleman remarked that he was particularly pleased with his side's character as Accrington's defence held firm. Stanley also had a terrific chance to score a third. Only a dramatic goal line clearance from Daggers substitute Ashley Vickers denied David Brown his second goal of the afternoon.
Dagenham and Redbridge: Tony Roberts, Danny Foster, Anwar Uddin, Shane Blackett, Scott Griffiths, Craig Mackail-Smith, Lee Goodwin, Ranbir Marwa, Glen Southam, Tresor Kandol, Chris Moore. Subs: Simon Overland, Ashley Vickers, Paul Benson, Bai Mas Lettejallow, Kenny Clark.
Accrington Stanley: Darren Randolph, Steve Jagielka, Robbie Williams, Michael Flynn, Chris Butler, Paul Brown, Anthony Barry, Ian Craney, Gary Roberts, Paul Mullin, David Brown.
Subs: Andy Dibble, Michael Welch, Andy Mangan, Daniel Ventre, Alan Navarro.
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