Dover Athletic 1 Dagenham & Redbridge 2: Benson scores as Daggers sink Whites

Paul Benson of Dagenham & Redbridge scores the second goal at Dover Athletic (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo) ©TGS Photo tgsphoto.co.uk +44 1376 553468

National League: Dover Athletic 1 (Miller 82) Dagenham & Redbridge 2 (Maguire-Drew 11, Benson 41)

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Jordan Maguire-Drew of Dagenham & Redbridge celebrates scoring the opening goal at Dover Athletic (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo) Jordan Maguire-Drew of Dagenham & Redbridge celebrates scoring the opening goal at Dover Athletic (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo)

Paul Benson scored his first Dagenham & Redbridge goal since the 2010 League Two play-off final win to help his side back into the play-off places in the National League with a 2-1 win at Dover Athletic.

Jordan Maguire-Drew played a part in both goals, scoring the first and assisting Benson for the second, as Daggers led by two at the break.

And though Dover struck a late goal, Daggers saw out the game to win their third away league match in succession.

Daggers made two changes for the trip to the coast, both of which were enforced with Oliver Hawkins injured and Frankie Raymond banned.

Former Hemel Hempstead Town forward Hawkins was sidelined by a back injury picked up against Torquay United, with Benson taking his place.

Raymond had collected his fifth booking of the season against the Gulls, which allowed Chris Assombalonga to come in for his first start since August 16.

The Victoria Road club nearly opened the scoring in the sixth minute, but Corey Whitely’s teasing pass across goal evaded his Daggers team-mates and the chance was gone.

Five minutes later, Luke Guttridge won a free-kick for the visitors in a wide right position around 30 yards out and it seemed Jordan Maguire-Drew, who would take the set-piece, would have to deliver a cross.

However, the on-loan Brighton & Hove Albion winger chose to go for goal and caught Steve Arnold out, looping the ball over the Dover keeper who looked to have slipped.

In the 29th minute, John Still’s men went close to a second, but only a superb stop from Arnold prevented Assombalonga from turning in a Maguire-Drew cross.

Five minutes later, Daggers had a let off when a poor header from skipper Scott Doe allowed Ricky Miller in, but the National League’s top scorer fired over with a first-time shot from 15 yards.

With four minutes to go until half-time, Maguire-Drew picked out Whitely in the area with a splendid crossfield pass, with the ex-Enfield Town attacker drawing a top save from Arnold.

The resulting corner was taken by Maguire-Drew, who delivered a perfect ball into the middle of the box that was met powerfully by Benson who doubled Daggers’ lead.

Dover’s response was almost immediate, but Moses Emmanuel fired wide twice in the two minutes after Benson’s goal.

Daggers, however, maintained their advantage heading into the break as they searched for a first win in three league matches.

Within nine minutes of the restart, however, the Victoria Road side almost conceded, but Miller’s pass from the left evaded fellow Athletic forward Emmanuel.

In the 62nd minute, a swift counter-attack almost led to a second for Benson after he was found in the box by Assombalonga, but Arnold did well to deny the evergreen attacker.

Maguire-Drew was another keen to double up, testing Arnold from 20 yards four minutes later, but this time the Whites keeper grabbed the ball at full stretch.

Just two minutes later, Daggers conceded a penalty when Guttridge was adjudged to have pushed Miller in the box.

The prolific Dover forward dusted himself down to take the spot kick, but Elliot Justham did brilliantly to keep it out before Miller fired the rebound wide.

Miller went close again with 12 minutes left after weaving his way through the Daggers defence, but his effort was straight at Justham in goal.

Two minutes later, only another top save from Arnold prevented Benson from all but sealing victory for Daggers, with the Daggers forward’s shot saved following a quick break.

In the 82nd minute, Justham’s resistance was broken as Miller fired home a half-volley from 12 yards after a flick on by Ross Lafayette.

Daggers, though, saw the remaining minutes out with little trouble and will hope to carry their confidence into next Saturday’s FA Trophy tie at home to Worthing

Dover (3-4-3): Arnold; Orlu, Grimes, Sterling; Magri, Stevenson, Kinnear (Parkinson 77), Thomas (Pinnock 76); Miller, Lafayette, Emmanuel

Subs: Walker, Modeste, Marsh

Daggers (4-2-3-1): Justham; Staunton, Doe, Okuonghae, Widdowson; Boucaud, Guttridge; Maguire-Drew, Whitely, Assombalonga (Hyde 90); Benson

Subs: Cousins, Heard, Barnwell, Mitchell

Attendance: 1,234

Referee: Dean Treleaven