Maidstone United 0 Dagenham & Redbridge 1: Luke Guttridge strikes as Daggers beat Stones

Luke Guttridge of Dagenham & Redbridge scores the opening goal at Maidstone United (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo) ©TGS Photo tgsphoto.co.uk +44 1376 553468

National League: Maidstone United 0 Dagenham & Redbridge 1 (Guttridge 26)

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Dan Sweeney of Maidstone United and Oliver Hawkins of Dagenham & Redbridge (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo) Dan Sweeney of Maidstone United and Oliver Hawkins of Dagenham & Redbridge (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo)

Luke Guttridge struck for the second time in as many matches to help Dagenham & Redbridge win in the National League at Maidstone United.

The ex-Luton Town playmaker’s strike proved the difference following an even clash between the sides at either end of the table.

Though Daggers probably did enough to win, they were at times severely tested, especially in the opening minutes of the second half, but held on to triumph.

The Essex club made just the one change from the 2-0 win at York City, with Jimmy Shepherd coming in for Scott Heard.

Jamar Loza of Maidstone United and Corley Whitely of Dagenham & Redbridge (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo) Jamar Loza of Maidstone United and Corley Whitely of Dagenham & Redbridge (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo)

Shepherd started at right-back, allowing Joe Widdowson to revert to left-back with Frankie Raymond filling Heard’s void in midfield.

Guttridge also started, despite concerns regarding his fitness following the success at York.

Chris Assombalonga, fresh from completing a month’s loan at Whitehawk, was named alongside Heard on the bench.

Corey Whitely had an early sighter for Daggers in the ninth minute, firing over from a central position 30 yards out.

Less than a minute later, stopper Elliot Justham was almost called into early action when Jamar Loza cut inside into the area, but the Stones striker dragged his shot wide.

Five minutes later, Whitely was again involved for Daggers, playing the ball in from the left, but Oliver Hawkins got his feet in a muddle just inside the box and scuffed his shot.

With 23 minutes remaining in the half, Daggers skipper Scott Doe needlessly gave the ball away just inside the Maidstone half, allowing Alex Flisher to break.

Doe eventually caught up with Flisher on the edge of the Daggers box, but fouled the Stones forward, who took the subsequent free-kick and drew a save from Justham at the next post.

From the resulting corner, Widdowson cleared Kevin Lokko’s header off the line, before Flisher powerfully shot wide from the penalty spot.

Three minutes later, though, it was Daggers who hit the front as Guttridge scored his second in as many matches.

Joe Widdowson started the move off, taking a throw-in in an advanced position down the left, finding Whitely in the box.

The ex-Enfield Town attacker played a delightful half-volley into the path of Guttridge, whose effort was deflected by Jamie Coyle past Lee Worgan.

Daggers nearly had a second in the 33rd minute when Jordan Maguire-Drew found Hawkins with a cross in the middle of the box.

The former Hemel Hempstead Town attacker powerfully headed at goal, but saw Worgan save at the second attempt after pushing the ball up with his initial stop.

With three minute until half-time, Justham had to be at his best to deny Jack paxman from the edge of the area, pushing the ball at full stretch behind for a corner that was cleared.

Thankfully Daggers took their lead into the break, but were forced into a change at half-time, with Doe replaced by Benson and Hawkins dropping to centre-back.

Ten minutes into the second half, Daggers almost gifted Maidstone an equaliser, but Justham did well to keep out Tom Mills’ cross after it had deflected off Shepherd.

A minute later, Justham was in action again, this time denying Loza from close range after the Stones forward had burst into the box.

From there, Daggers continued to drop back and attempt to soak up the Maidstone pressure, despite holding the lead and sitting higher in the table.

Somewhat gainst the run of play, Daggers nearly doubled their lead in the 69th minute, but Maguire-Drew headed over from six yards after a terrific cross by Whitely.

Maguire-Drew went close again four minutes later, but could only turn Raymond’s wayward shot from 20 yards onto the bar.

Those efforts seemed to stem the tide for Daggers, with the next 10 minutes or so fairly even.

With five minutes remaining, Maguire-Drew got even closer to scoring, forcing a terrific save from Worgan with a powerful half-volley from 15 yards.

The misses, though, did not prove costly as Daggers maintained their lead and will chase a third successive win at home to Barrow on Saturday.

Maidstone (4-3-3): Worgan; Twumasi, Coyle, Lokko, Mills; Rogers (Odubade 75), Sweeney, Paxman; Flisher, Taylor (Enver-Marum 84), Loza (Hudson-Odoi 80)

Subs: Evans, Greenhalgh

Daggers (4-2-3-1): Justham; Shepherd, Doe (Benson 46), Staunton, Widdowson; Boucaud, Raymond; Maguire-Drew, Guttridge, Whitely; Hawkins

Subs: Cousins, Assombalonga, Hyde, Heard

Attendance: 1,970

Referee: Con Hatzidakis