Dagenham & Redbridge stopper Elliot Justham determined to earn another clean sheet at Torquay United

Coley Whitely of Dagenham & Redbridge powers past Louis Almond of Tranmere Rovers (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo) ©TGS Photo tgsphoto.co.uk +44 1376 553468

Daggers keeper hopes for an eigth shuout of the season in just 14 games away to the Gulls

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Joe Widdowson of Dagenham & Redbridge (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo) Joe Widdowson of Dagenham & Redbridge (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo)

Dagenham & Redbridge visit Torquay United on Tuesday night looking to remain top of the National League while stretching their unbeaten run to six games.

Since losing 2-0 at home to Boreham Wood on September 3, Daggers have beaten Solihull Moors, Dover Athletic, North Ferriby United and Bromley before drawing with Tranmere Rovers at the weekend.

It has been a run of form that has taken the Victoria Road back to the summit of non-league’s top flight, one point clear of Forest Green Rovers.

Key to that run of form has been goalkeeper Elliot Justham, who has recorded seven clean sheets in 13 matches this season — though only one of those has come on the road.

It looks set to be a tricky night for the Daggers stopper on the coast at Plainmoor, with gusts of up to 20mph expected during the match tomorrow night.

But with the prize of staying top of the National League on his mind, Justham is determined to record just a second away shutout of the season.

“Every game is hard, people say the ‘lesser’ games might be easy, but you still have to work to beat everyone,” said the stopper, who previously worked under Daggers boss John Still at Luton Town.

“Everyone is at this level for a reason, so hopefully we can go to Torquay, win, keep a clean sheet and stay top of the league.”

Justham was made to work hard for his clean sheet against Tranmere, especially in the first half where he pulled off a string of good saves, particularly from Andy Cook.

It looked as if Cook would win their battle right at the death when the ball fell to the Rovers striker around 12 yards out, but he somehow fired wide.

Before that, though, Daggers were unfortunate not to take the lead when substitute Chris Assombalonga headed a corner against a post, while Oliver Hawkins forced Tranmere stopper Scott Davies into action in a frantic final 10 minutes at Victoria Road,

And though Justham was pleased to record another shutout, there was a hint of disappointment that Daggers were unable to record their 10th win of the season.

“It was good to keep a clean sheet against Tranmere, we knew it was going to be tough because they’re a good side,” he added.

“It was gutting we couldn’t get the three points in the end, but we knew if we kept them to nil, we’d have a chance. We did our job, so we’ll move on to Tuesday.

“There were a few saves I had to make and it was nice to do something because I haven’t always been busy in games this season.

You have to concentrate and be ready when called upon and thankfully we kept a clean sheet again.”