The Daggers return to their usual 4-4-2 formation to mark the return of Matthews, albeit with a head bandage. Broom played at left back with Jones on the left wing.

The home side played some good stuff early in the first half and could have scored when Shipp was put through by Terry only to be given a very suspect offside.

Tim Cole also had a chance when the ball was cleared to him on the edge of the box but his volley was just wide of the post. The Daggers started to force several corners and looked dangerous in the air, especially as the away keeper was reluctant to go and claim the ball.

Danny Shipp had the best chance of the half though when the ball was crossed low after a good break but Shipp only managed to put his first time shot into the keeper who had come out to narrow the angle.

Junior McDougald also had a chance when a misguided Goodwin shot was latched onto by McDougald who put his left foot shot over the bar.

However, Northwich nearly punished the Daggers for the lack of chance taking when Blundell went through but Roberts made a good save to tip it round the post.

The second half degenerated into a poor spell though, and both teams seemed unable to pass the ball very well. The early part of the half saw little action but towards the end, the Daggers came to life again.

Junior McDougald had a good shout for a penalty when he ran into the box only to be pulled back by a defender, and as Junior tried his best to stay on his feet, the ball ran out and no foul was given.

Tim Cole also had a chance with a header from a corner at the near post, but he put the ball over after rising six yards out to head goalwards.

The introduction of Cobb seemed to spur the Daggers on and soon after coming on he netted the decisive goal. Lee Goodwin dribbled past two defenders on the edge of the box and passed to Cobb asbout 10 yards out who passed the ball into the net.

The Daggers had another penalty turned down when a cross from the right was virtually caught by the defender but the referee ruled that he had chested the ball, although 1000 people seemed to disagree.

Paul Cobb had another chance when he raced onto a through ball but he had to stretch to reach it and although he lifted it over the keeper, he also lifted it over the bar.

Cobb had another half-chance late on when McDougald ran through and passed to Cobb, and although the keeper got their first, he fumbled the ball but Cobb couldn't quite claim it.

Right at the end, Northwich should have a had a player dismissed. As Shipp retreated following a free kick decision, the Northwich player was clearly unhappy at the speed of his retreat and forcefully shoved him to the ground, but not even a booking was issued.



D & R: Tony Roberts, Lee Goodwin, Tim Cole, Lee Matthews, Jason Broom (Paul Cobb), Mark Janney (Danny Hayzelden), Paul Terry, Steve Heffer, Matt Jones, Danny Shipp, Junior McDougald (Mark Keen). Subs not used: Steve Forbes, Mark Rooney.

Man of the Match: Lee Goodwin was solid at the back and was important in attacking situations.