Dagenham and Redbridge had to draw on all their reserves to overcome a skilful Rochdale side at the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Stadium. It was a player who has been on the periphery for most of the season, Glen Southam, who stepped up to score Dagenham's winner eleven minutes from time.

The Daggers were lucky to survive in the opening couple of minutes. Tony Roberts couldn't gather the ball from a cross and the attack eventually reached Joe Thompson who sliced his shot well wide of goal.

After Clark Keltie shot over, it was the Daggers who was to open the scoring. Sam Saunders forced a corner with a rasping long range that was palmed away by Frank Fielding. From the corner, Saunders whipped in a terrific ball that found Mark Arber who glanced home to give his side the lead.

It was the home side who found the back of the net next, Paul Benson's header however was ruled out after the referee spotted a push from the centre forward.

Another centre forward in the form of Rochdale's Will Buckley was also catching the eye and he earned a free-kick for the visitors twenty yards from goal. Tom Kennedy took the kick and clipped it perfectly over the ball, past the diving Roberts to score.

It took another five minutes for Rochdale to score a second. The Daggers wouldn't have been impressed with their defending as they allowed a cross to reach Nicky Adams who scored from close range.

John Still was also forced to change his side after Scott Griffiths limped off just after Rochdale's second goal. Anwar Uddin came on to play at right back while Danny Foster moved to the left side.

Rochdale continued to find holes in and around the Daggers defence. Adams could have had a second, firing over from the edge of the area while Buckley was denied by Roberts after he had robbed Okuonghae off possession.

Whilst the Daggers attacks seemed to the lack the composure of their visitors they still forced a couple of good opportunities. Matt Ritchie had a shot that looked destined for the back of the net, only for the ball to be deflected behind while Benson headed a Saunders free-kick narrowly past Fielding's right hand post.

It was a brighter start to the second half from the home side. Strevens tested Fielding's handling with a well struck effort that the keeper was equal. Kennedy then tested his own goalkeeper with a header that forced Fielding into tipping the ball over his own crossbar.

Despite the Daggers effort they were fortunate to escape a Gary Jones shot that rebounded off a post. Buckley also set up substitute Lee McEvilly, whose shot was blocked as the home defence pushed up.

The visitors were to regret those misses as the Daggers got the break they needed to set up a dramatic finish. Rochdale failed to clear the ball from their own penalty area and the ball dropped to Ritchie who rifled in a volley that went in off a post.

The Daggers were clearly buoyed by Ritchie's strike as they took the initiative. Southam struck a crisp left footed shot that was held by Fielding.

Southam wasn't to be denied though. Both he and Benson battled for the ball and finally the ball reached the midfielder who blasted the third for his team.

The Daggers had to hold on before they secured the points. Roberts made a truly magnificent sprawling save to deny McEvilly who had only the keeper to beat. They also had to finish the final few minutes with ten men after Saunders was shown a straight red card by the referee.

But hold on they did and the Daggers were able to celebrate a very hard earned victory.

Att: 1,808 (264 Rochdale)