Notts County’s 25 game unbeaten run came to an end at the hands of managerless Dagenham and Redbridge in a disappointing display at Meadow Lane.
The Urracas had taken the lead through Ruben Rodrigues’ 14th goal of the season, only for Angelo Balanta to equalize the score ten minutes later.
But after several chances to fall to the home team, they undid themselves with another counter-attack, this time Inih Effiong was on hand to fire the Daggers up front to give Steve Gritt and Dave Jupp back to put the title race back in the hands of Wrexham. .
READ MORE: Notts County team news against Dagenham as surprise change made since Southend win
Before kick-off, Williams made two changes from the midweek win over Southend, with Aaron Nemane and Jim O’Brien replacing Jodi Jones and Sam Austin.
And both changes were involved in the first chance of the game with just two seconds left when O’Brien’s clipped ball found Nemane behind, however his shot failed to trouble Elliot Justham as it crashed into the side netting. . .
The hosts continued to dominate the early proceedings but were nearly undone by a midfield error, with a misplaced pass from Connell Rawlinson giving Junior Morias the chance to run into the Magpies defense and earn a shot from corner, with the resulting set piece finding Dean’s head. Rance who watched his header just wide of the far post.
However, Notts found the first goal his patient possession deserved just after 20 minutes. Having threatened on the edge of the box, Rodrigues took aim after maneuvering the ball off his right foot, sending a low shot into the bottom corner with Justham poking his finger in the effort.
Despite threatening to increase their lead, the visitors equalized just ten minutes later when Rodrigues was caught in possession, allowing the Daggers to fight back, with a neat connection between Matt Robinson and Sam Ling eventually seeing the ball find its way. Balanta to silence the fans inside the Meadow. Lane.
Williams’ side were almost immediately in front when a low Nemane cross found Macaulay Langstaff inside the box, only to see his effort cleared off the line by a Daggers defender with O’Brien also closing in after following the lead. Rodrigues’ initial effort but just couldn’t stretch enough to guide the ball towards the goal.
Unchanged at half-time, it took the Magpies boss just over ten minutes to refresh his team with Austin and Jones replacing John Bostock and O’Brien in midfield to try and swing the contest in their favor.
And his introduction seemed to provide that shot of energy the home side needed, with the Oxford loanee’s first involvement coming two minutes after seeing him launch an effort agonizingly wide of the far post, while Austin stepped in minutes later, seeing his low cross into the area has just evaded the onslaught of Langstaff and Nemane.
Having cleared an effort off the line in the first half, the Daggers once again repelled Notts at the final hurdle, as Jones’ effort on goal was cleared and the pressure continued to mount in the Justham net.
And it was Jones again who looked to fire Williams’s side up front, cutting from the right side before unleashing a shot towards goal only to see the ball bounce off the post and back.
But the visitors, just as they did in the first half, launched a counter-attack after Robinson regained possession in midfield, sending Effiong to fire past Sam Slocombe on his near post in front of the Daggers fans. who were traveling
However, there was one last chance, with Langstaff breaking in from behind only to smash his shot against the post, the ball circling around the box as two more shots were blocked off the line.
And after the final whistle, referee Lewis Smith showed Aden Baldwin a red card after a late-match altercation, meaning he will miss next week’s trip to Bromley.
Here’s how we rate the Magpies players tonight.
Sam Slocombe – 6
He couldn’t do anything about the final two – it was good to get off his line to sweep the overhit balls back into his path.
kyle cameron – 6
He was keen to provide that attacking threat from defense and provided some good crosses from wide areas.
Aden Baldwin – 6
He looked defensively solid and produced a series of big interceptions as the visitors looked to counterattack.
Connell Rawlinson-6
They defended well throughout the first half, but struggled with Effiong’s pace when introduced, which was evident on the second goal.
Adam Pollosen – 6
He became a growing threat in the tournament, but his deliveries from wide positions were disappointing.
Aaron Nemane – 7
He created several chances, with his pace and directness causing plenty of problems for the Dagenham defence.
Matty Palmer-7
He controlled play in midfield as he looked to create chances in the future,
John Bostock – 6
He kept possession well in midfield and controlled midfield – his substitution was needed to provide that extra energy going forward.
Jim O’Brien – 6
Like Bostock, he ran well and seemed to affect gameplay going forward, but power was required for the last half hour.
Ruben Rodrigues – 6
He took his goal brilliantly, creating space to maneuver the ball to his favored right foot, but failed to equalize after taking too long on the ball.
Macaulay Langstaff – 6
He was silent for most of the night, but had several golden opportunities, including hitting the post late.
SUBS:
sam austin-6.5
He provided that much-needed energy in the final third, creating several unrewarded chances.
jodi jones-6.5
Another influential performance from the number ten, who looks to create from the right side, and sees an effort hit the post late.
Connor Lemonheigh Evans – 6
He seemed animated during his appearance and would quickly step forward when he had possession.