Forest Green Rovers 1 Dagenham & Redbridge 1: Oliver Hawkins heads home as Daggers draw

Oliver Hawkins of Dagenham & Redbridge and Liam Noble of Forest Green Rovers (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo) ©TGS Photo tgsphoto.co.uk +44 1376 553468

National League: Forest Green Rovers 1 (Murphy 48) Dagenham & Redbridge 1 (Hawkins 74)

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Josh Staunton of Dagenham & Redbridge sees his shot cleared off the line at Forest Green Rovers (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo) Josh Staunton of Dagenham & Redbridge sees his shot cleared off the line at Forest Green Rovers (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo)

Oliver Hawkins headed home for the first time in five National League matches to earn Dagenham & Redbridge a point at leaders Forest Green Rovers.

Though Daggers were reliant on counter-attacks for their chances in the first half, they held firm in defence to go in at the break goalless.

Rovers took the front through former Daggers forward Rhys Murphy after the break, but Hawkins headed home with just under a quarter of an hour to go to earn a point.

There was a surprise recall to the Daggers starting XI as Luke Guttridge made his first appearance since being injured at Sutton United on August 29.

Luke Guttridge of Dagenham & Redbridge and Drissa Traore of Forest Green Rovers (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo) Luke Guttridge of Dagenham & Redbridge and Drissa Traore of Forest Green Rovers (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo)

Guttridge came in at the expense of Sam Ling, with Frankie Raymond dropping to left-back and Joe Widdowson moving to the right.

There was also a spot on the bench for Paul Benson, who had last featured for the Essex club at home to North Ferriby United on September 17.

Starting in attack for the Gloucestershire side were two former Daggers in Christian Doidge and Murphy, who both moved to The New Lawn in the summer.

Within 40 seconds of the match starting, Daggers nearly took the lead through forward Corey Whitely.

Andre Boucaud of Dagenham & Redbridge and Darren Carter of Forest Green Rovers (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo) Andre Boucaud of Dagenham & Redbridge and Darren Carter of Forest Green Rovers (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo)

The ex-Enfield Town man latched onto a knockdown from striker Hawkins, but fired wide from the edge of the box.

There was also an early test at the other end for Elliot Justham with the Daggers stopper pushing Rhys Murphy’s 20-yard effort around the post in the seventh minute.

After a bright start for both teams, though, things slowed a little as Forest Green looked to dominate possession.

Doidge went close to a goal against his former side in the 17th minute after cutting inside onto his left foot, but his effort was fearlessly blocked by Matt Robinson.

Two minutes later and it was Murphy’s turn to nearly haunt Daggers, but his 12-yard shot was expertly tipped over the bar by Justham.

With 16 minutes to go in the half, Whitely was played in again after a good, quick passage of play involving the attacker, Hawkins and Guttridge,

However, Whitely’s effort from a central position 18 yards out was straight at Rovers stopper Sam Russell, who comfortably saved.

Two minutes later, the home support felt Daggers centre-back Josh Staunton handled in the box under pressure from Murphy, but referee Stephen Ross was unmoved.

Staunton was soon involved at the other end as he prodded at goal following a free-kick into the box in the 36th minute, but Murphy cleared his effort off the line.

That proved to be the last real chance as the sides headed into the break level, but Forest Green took the lead within three minutes of the restart.

Murphy linked up well with Carter just inside the area, receiving the ball back 10 yards out before firing past Justham.

In the aftermath of the goal, it also became apparent that Forest Green manager Mark Cooper had been sent to the stands at half-time.

The goal seemed to boost the hosts, though Daggers were unfortunate not to see half-time substitute Sam Ling control a through ball by Robinson into the box.

Having already seen one of their former strikers net, the Essex club breathed a sigh of relief in the 64th minute when Doidge nodded wide after Liam Noble crossed.

Murphy himself went close a second five minutes later when through one-on-one with Justham, only for Daggers stopper Scott Doe to produce a superb last-ditch challenge.

Despite the barrage of pressure, the Victoria Road outfit drew level in the 74th minute when Hawkins ended his scoring drought in the league.

Having not netted since the win at Bromley on September 24, the former Hemel Hempstead Town forward rose highest at the back post to nod in Joe Widdowson’s cross.

The goal was also the first Forest Green had conceded in seven league matches and handed the visitors some much needed belief.

It also seemed to give Hawkins a boost too, going close to a second headed goal with four minutes remaining, but narrowly nodding wide.

There was to be no late winner, though, with Daggers next in action at home to Halifax Town in the FA Cup next Saturday.

FGR (4-1-2-1-2): Russell; Bennett, Pinnock, Clough, Wishart; Traore, Noble, Carter, Marsh-Brown (Frear 88); Murphy (Moore 83), Doidge

Subs: Kelly, Sinclair, Racine

Daggers (4-2-3-1): Justham; Widdowson, Doe, Staunton, Raymond; Boucaud, Robinson; Maguire-Drew (Ling 46), Guttridge (Benson 75); Whitely; Hawkins

Subs: Cousins, Hyde, Heard

Attendance: 2,268 (including 182 Daggers fans)