A blistering start gave County an impressive 0-2 win at play-off chasers Dagenham & Redbridge on Saturday evening, as early
goals from Ash Palmer and Will Collar moved Dave Challinor’s men back to third in the National League.
With the weekend’s late kick-off broadcast live on BT Sport, County went into the clash at Victoria Road knowing that a win would see The Hatters to within just two points of the division’s top two – and that’s exactly what transpired, with the most remarkable of starts in East London.
With Scott Quigley ruled out through an injury picked up in the 3-0 win over Eastleigh on Tuesday evening, Connor Jennings continued up top alongside Paddy Madden in an otherwise unchanged line-up by boss Dave Challinor.
Taking Jennings’ place on the bench was the returning Ollie Crankshaw, who had missed the win over The Spitfires through injury.
Things could not have started much better for Challinor and company, with Palmer leaping highest to thump a header past a helpless Elliot Justham from Ryan Rydel’s in-swinging free-kick inside three minutes.
With County’s travelling support of over 300 behind the goal still celebrating Palmer’s opener, the man in form Will Collar made it six goals in his last seven outings just ninety seconds later, as the box-to-box midfielder latched onto Macauley Southam-Hales’ deflected cross inside the area to drive low past Justham from close range.
The tireless Collar had a big chance to make it three for County inside the opening ten minutes but blazed over Justham’s crossbar after stealing possession high up the pitch.
With the hosts looking to get some form of foothold in proceedings, Junior Morias burst down the left and opted to go for goal on twenty minutes as the tricky forward tested the palms of Ben Hinchliffe, with the Hatters stopper comfortably sweeping up from the resulting corner.
Utilising a high press effectively yet again, County continued to push Dagenham back – and almost had a third via route one ten minutes before the break.
Madden flicked on for the onrushing Collar to unleash a dipping half-volley from the edge of the area – but, with the effort seemingly destined for the back of the net, Justham produced a fine fingertip save to put behind for the corner.
Daryl McMahon’s side should have had one back just before half-time, as both Angelo Balanta and Josh Walker found themselves with the goal gaping – fortunately for The Hatters, the duo both opted to leave the ball for the other, allowing Ash Palmer in to block what looked to be a certain goal.
Having done the hard yards and got in at the interval with a two goal lead, the second half proved a much more subdued affair, as County expertly set about holding on to what they had.
The Daggers naturally came out looking for a lifeline straight after the break, but could only force a total of two efforts on Hinchliffe’s goal throughout the entire affair, with just one of those troubling the Hatters ‘keeper.
At the other end, whilst County were understandably more reserved after the restart, Ryan Rydel did crash a deflected free-kick off Justham’s crossbar as The Hatters looked to put the result beyond doubt.
With twenty-five minutes to go, McMahon called for the Daggers’ big hitters with a triple change, as dangerous striker Paul McCallum continued his return from injury by entering the fray in amongst the three changes.
But that bold move by McMahon backfired mere minutes later, as defender Elliot Johnson fell to the turf with injury moments after the changes – leaving the hosts with ten men for the remaining fifteen minutes.
With the hosts down to ten and the County defence continuing to marshal things superbly, a huge three points were soon confirmed and saw Challinor’s men make it seven wins in a row in all competitions to boot.
FULL-TIME: Dagenham & Redbridge 0-2 County
County line-up (3-4-1-2): Hinchliffe; Hogan (C), Palmer, Kitching; Southam-Hales, Collar, Croasdale, Rydel (Johnson, 75);Sarcevic; Jennings (Crankshaw, 75), Madden (Newby, 89).
Unused subs: Minihan, Rooney.
Booked: None.
Attendance: 1,749 (with 330 County fans).
