Dagenham & Redbridge: Boss John Still admits loss of Scott Doe to injury and Andre Boucaud to suspension took shine off Maidstone United win

Dagenham & Redbridge manager John Still (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo) ©TGS Photo tgsphoto.co.uk +44 1376 553468

Daggers manager downbeat after losing two players for Saturday’s match at home to Barrow

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James Rogers of Maidstone United and Jordan Maguire-Drew of Dagenham & Redbridge (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo) James Rogers of Maidstone United and Jordan Maguire-Drew of Dagenham & Redbridge (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo)

Dagenham & Redbridge boss John Still says the 1-0 win at Maidstone United in the National League was marred by the loss of two key players.

Luke Guttridge struck midway through the first half at Gallagher Stadium to move Daggers to within five points of leaders Forest Green Rovers.

However, skipper Scott Doe limped off at half time with a hamstring injury, with Oliver Hawkins dropping to centre-back, while Andre Boucaud picked up his fifth booking of the season and will be suspended for the visit of Barrow on Saturday.

Boucaud and Doe have been an integral part of the Essex club’s squad this season, and Still admits losing the pair for the weekend took the shine off beating Stones.

“What can I say? We’re getting injuries all the time, but the boys are battling away incredibly,” said Still, who took Maidstone into the Football League in 1989.

“Hawks (Hawkins) was magnificent at centre-back, but he’s a big miss up front.

“I look at the game, we’ve won away from home which is always hard, particularly midweek.

“We seem to be travelling and travelling, so we’re clocking the miles up.

“We’ve won, so I’m delighted with that, and I’ll have to look at the other situation with injuries and suspension on Thursday.”

Still gave Jimmy Shepherd his first start of the season at Maidstone after the teenager completed a month’s loan at Egham Town of the Southern League Division One Central.

After looking nervous early on, the young full-back grew into the match and Still was pleased with how Shepherd fared, as well as the defence in general.

“Jimmy was steady and what we’ve had to do with our back four this season has been incredible,” added the Daggers manager.

“Every credit to the players, we’ve had to chop and change the back four and play people out of position.

“If you look at Luke Pennell, Scott Doe, Craig Robson and Curtley Williams, none of them are on the pitch, which makes how we’re doing fantastic.”