Daggers secure league football status after impressive fightback victory

8:53am Monday 28th April 2008

Darlington 2
Dagenham and Redbridge 3
(League Two)

DAGENHAM came from two goals down to record three points at Darlington and ensure they will be playing league football next season.

The hosts went 1-0 ahead on 20 minutes when Ricky Ravenhill headed in off a post. A Mark Arber own goal made it 2-0 shortly after the break.

The game hinged on a mad few minutes just after the hour mark.

First, Daggers sub Sam Sloma pulled one back from close-range and a minute later Darlington's Ben Parker was sent off for a foul on Ben Strevens in the penalty box. Dave Rainford stepped up to score from the spot.

Six minutes later, Benson squeezed in a shot to cap a remarkable comeback.

Keeper Tony Roberts played his part, clawing an effort off the goal line in stoppage time.

Daggers boss John Still described his side's survival as a "fairytale".

He added: "They've been fantastic all season, and the achievement of staying up far outweighs coming up last year.

"The boys that came up were legends last year, and the boys that have kept us up are even bigger legends.

"On our resources, we are a million miles behind the worst off club in this league."

Dag & Red: Roberts, Huke, Boardman, Arber, Griffiths, Saunders, Rainford, Gain, Southam (Sloma 56), Benson (Nurse 82), Strevens (Moore 90). Unused: Hogan, Taiwo.

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