Dagenham & Redbridge 3-2 Enfield Town

As broken records go, this one appears to be heading for the top of the charts. Yet again, in all too familiar fashion, Enfield Town conceded a death blow with virtually the last kick of the game as we fell into the bottom four after a third straight defeat in all competitions.

The fact that even Daggers fans conceded we deserved at least a draw came as scant consolation as once again we threw away vital points and now have to pick ourselves up for this evening’s home encounter with Ebbsfleet.

It had been visitors Town who enjoyed the better of the early exchanges, with chances for both Sam Youngs and Nino Adom-Malaki before Sam opened the scoring with his 92nd goal for the club, on his 350th appearance in Enfield Town colours; one shy of Rudi Hall’s all-time record. A long kick from Rhys Forster was headed into the path of Adom-Malaki, and after twisting and turning near the byline, his cross was clinically headed home by skipper Youngs. Forster had earlier been called into action with a superb save on the stretch to thwart Ashley Hemmings’ looping header, but had otherwise been relatively untroubled as Town’s rear guard marshalled their opponents well.

Billy Leonard and the suspended Mickey Parcell were still missing from the starting eleven, the former on the bench, but Town came close to doubling the lead when another Adom-Malaki cross found Lamar Reynolds, only for the former Daggers man to see his shot come back off the post. A long stoppage followed after Dagenham’s Reggie Young had been stretchered off but Town were well worth their lead at the interval.

Half Time, Dagenham & Redbridge 0-1 Enfield Town

Having been second best in the first half, the Daggers, led by former Premier League striker Andy Carroll, immediately changed shape, upped their game and were presented with their clearest chance of the afternoon but Hemmings spooned over when clean through with Forster. They eventually were rewarded on 54 minutes when Scott Rendell waltzed his way down the flank and teed up Joe Haigh to sweep home. Now Dagenham had their tails up, and on 73 minutes Ashley Hemmings breached the offside trap to slot past Forster and seemingly negate all our good work.

Town, though, were not finished and hit straight back as a threaded pass from substitute Leonard into the box allowed Reynolds to square for Hayden Bullas to fire in from 10 yards. Moments later, Leonard found space down the right channel but fired straight at the keeper, while Haigh and former Towner Harry Sidwell both blasted over but there was little to suggest there would be a late winner for either side.

Yet six minutes into stoppage time, a lofted ball created a melee in the Town area and as Forster came – not once, but twice – he proceeded to drop the ball while tussling with Hemmings, allowing Timothée Dieng to poke home the loose ball, steal all three points and pile more anguish on Town.

Town: Forster; Jones (Leonard 73’), Benjamin, Thompson, Hawkins (Donaldson 90+1’), Adom-Malaki; Bullas, Gallimore, Knight (Brown 73’); Youngs, Reynolds

Attendance: 1583