FULL TIME: Daggers end season on a high with impressive win over Stags

5:18pm Saturday 3rd May 2008

Dagenham and Redbridge 2
Mansfield Town 0
(Coca Cola League Two)

GOALS from Ben Strevens and Paul Benson handed Dagenham three points as they finished the season with a win over relegated Mansfield on Saturday.

Daggers secured their place in League Two by beating Darlington 3-2 last Saturday and the Stags' 77 years of league football ended when Chester drew with Stockport.

John Still's men took the lead just after half-time when Benson's shot was deflected for a corner.

Strevens headed home from the set piece to deservedly put the home side in front.

Moments later Dagenham doubled their lead when Mansfield's Jake Buxton clattered Benson in the box.

Referee Stuart Attwell showed the Stags skipper a straight red and Benson comfortably slotted home the spot kick.

Dagenham were dominant throughout this match with the visitors failing to register a single shot on target.

The home side struck first when Benson's header smacked off the post.

In the 25th minute Sam Saunders missed a golden opportunity to open the scoring when a mix-up in the Mansfield box gifted the midfielder the ball unexpectedly but instead of shooting first-time he took too many touches allowing Town's defenders to gratefully clear their lines.

The visitor's best effort came when Nathan Arnold evaded Jon Boardman but the winger's effort was off target.

In the second half Strevens nearly grabbed a second but his shot hit the post and went wide.

With just eight minutes left Strevens hit a thunderbolt which was tipped over by Jason White for a corner.

The biggest cheer of the day came two minutes before full-time when substitute Lee Goodwin came on after a lengthy injury lay off.

His every touch was cheered by the Victoria Road faithful.

Speaking afterwards, delighted Daggers boss John Still said: "I was pleased with how we played. If we rode our luck we could have had six or seven.

"We've played very well and entertained the crowd and gone out on a good note."

Dag & Red: Roberts, Huke (Rainford 57), Boardman, Arber, Griffiths, Saunders (Goodwin 88), Taiwo, Gain, Sloma (Green 57), Benson, Strevens.

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