Dagenham & Redbridge boss Ben Strevens conceded his side may have been fortunate to escape with a point after they played out a 1-1 draw with Ebbsfleet United on Easter Monday.
Despite controlling the early phases, Strevens’ side failed to capitalise on their dominance and could have found themselves behind before the break were it not for the heroics of goalkeeper Elliot Justham.
“We certainly weren’t at our best throughout the game. We scored with one moment of brilliance from Inih [Effiong] reversing the ball to Josh Rees, who chopped it back and whipped it in the far corner,” he told the club’s media channel.
“We didn’t reach the levels that we’ve been at in recent weeks. I attribute that to us partly, but we have to reflect and say that we played so well on Friday [winning 4-1 at Boreham Wood] and I didn’t make any changes to freshen it up.
"I have to reflect on whether that was the right thing to do, first. Secondly, I have to give credit to the opposition, as they put it on us from the first moment. They’ve been one of the best teams in the league despite their league position.”
Daggers captain Justham was in fine form on the day and denied Ebbsfleet forwards Dominic Samuel and Bryant Bilongo before the break, with Strevens full of praise for his number one.
“Elliot pulled off the saves to keep us in the game. They had some good chances to score, and he pulled some off in the first half, particularly, and obviously a fantastic penalty save,” added Strevens.
“I think [Rakish] Bingham’s penalty record is quite good, so Elliot’s had to pull off a fantastic save, and it was right in the corner.
"It wasn’t one of those where the forward doesn’t connect with it. I think El was quite early and tipped it around the post.
“He’s a fantastic goalie, and he’s had a good day to keep us in the match up until that point anyway.”
With just one home game left of their National League campaign, the Daggers will be looking to put on a show for the fans when they host Aldershot Town on the last day of the season [April 20, 1215pm], and Strevens was frustrated by the fact his side couldn’t replicate recent performances for their supporters.
“That’s my biggest disappointment and frustration from today. The feeling we had from Friday going into today was that we wanted it to be another really good day,” said the Daggers boss.
“Even when we weren’t at our best and we got the lead, the support was right behind us, and I feel like they were trying to push us on to be better today.
“The one thing I know from today is the fans were properly good again. They didn’t drop off, and they had a good day.
"We didn't, and we didn’t give them enough to cheer about. They stuck with us and got right behind us, so we couldn’t be more thankful to them for that.”
Josh Rees put Daggers ahead 12 minutes from time with his 16th goal ot the campaign, but Billy Clifford levelled in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
Rees had netted twice at Boreham Wood, with Ryan Hill and Inih Effiong also on the mark in a 4-1 win, with all five goals coming in the first half.
Daggers sit in 12th place and head to Woking on Saturday.
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