DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE 3, ROTHERHAM UNITED 2

Even the world's greatest optimist could not have expected a result like this after watching the Daggers labour though a disappointing first half, writes Jack Steggles.

They were lucky to go in at the break only one goal down and coach Wayne Burnett admitted Rotherham were far and away the better side.

The Daggers went through that first period without bringing a save from Millers keeper Rhys Taylor. Urgent action was needed - and boss John Still provided it by sending on injury ravaged Josh Scott instead of Ahmed Abdulla.

That changed the picture dramatically, giving the Daggers some power and threat up front and meant the team wearing red and blue shirts after the break were unrecognisable from the ones on view earlier. We saw the real Dagenham - a team playing at a high tempo and putting the opposition under pressure to turn things their way.

It took them just six minutes to wipe out the goal from Danny Harrison that gave Rotherham a 28th minute lead and after being allowed to control the first half the visitors finally found they had a game on their hands.

The revival gave the crowd something to get excited about as the Daggers went on to repeat the result - and the scoreline - when these teams met in the League Two play-off final at Wembley in May 2010.

From the Daggers point of view the first half is best forgotten. Rotherham were so superior they could have been out of sight by half time and only a string of fine saves from keeper Chris Lewington kept the Daggers in it.

He saved well from Lewis Grabban, Alex Revell and Jason Taylor, but could do nothing about the volley from Harrison that gave him no chance. All he Daggers offered in return was an effort from Billy Bingham that went outside the far post.

The arrival of Scott pumped badly needed life into the Daggers and Jon Nurse had them level in the 51st minute with a superb diving header from a Mickey Spillane free kick.

Ten minutes later man-of-the-match Abu Ogogo surged into the box to give Still's men the lead with a left foot shot that deflected off Mark Bradley.

The lead lasted less than a minute. For the celebrating Daggers switched off and allowed Revell the freedom of Victoria Road to head the equaliser from a left wing cross.

But the Daggers stuck at it and were rewarded in the 77th minute, when Scott Doe powered in a header from Cristian Montano's corner.

Rotherham, who had Michael Rayne sent off following a bust up with Spillane, staged a storming finish. But the Daggers held on for a victory that lifts them out of the dreaded relegation places.

Vicarage Field Man Of The Match - Abu Ogogo