Dagenham & Redbridge defender Josh Staunton bemoans luck against Barrow, but insists new centre-back pairing is not to blame for loss

Luke Guttridge of Dagenham & Redbridge and Liam Hughes of Barrow (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo) ©TGS Photo tgsphoto.co.uk +44 1376 553468

Daggers youngster lined up with new signing Magnus Okuonghae for the first time against Bluebirds

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Dagenham & Redbridge defender Josh Staunton says he had to adapt quickly to playing alongside Magnus Okuonghae against Barrow on Saturday, but that is not the sole reason why the Essex club lost 4-1.

The Victoria Road side were two goals down at the break after Liam Hughes and Byron Harrison scored for the Bluebirds, before adding a third through Richard Bennett.

Corey Whitely struck as Daggers threatened a late rally, but that hope proved fleeting as Harrison struck again from the spot after Okuonghae fouled Moussa Diarra in the box.

Okuonghae was thrust straight into the starting line-up after signing on Friday because of an injury to skipper Scott Doe, but Staunton revealed he had a decent understanding with 30-year-old because he had been training with Daggers before agreeing a deal.

“‘Mags’ has been with us for a while just training to keep himself ticking over, so we had built up a fair relationship, but we had never played alongside each other,” admitted Staunton. “Mags’ experience, he slotted straight in, but it was just one of those games.”

“‘Doey’ and I have built up a decent relationship, he knows what to expect from me and can help me out. Mags has got tons of experience as well and it is different because different players have different strengths, but we communicated the best we could.”

Despite the loss, Daggers still remain within five points of leaders Forest Green Rovers, who went down 3-1 at Wrexham.

But Staunton knows the Essex club cannot continually rely on their title rivals slipping up if they want to win the National League this season.

“If Forest Green had built up another gap, then we’d have the climb further up the table, but you want to beat those around you as that could define your success at the end of the season,” he added.

!It’s a positive that Forest Green lost too, but we’re should be worrying about our results more than Forest Green’s.”