It was once again a makeshift defence that was on display against Division 2 side Colchester who included many first team players in the their squad. Although the Daggers were in the game for most of, it was two defensive errors that handed the visitors a win.

The Daggers started well when Stein took the ball down the right, passed back to Gallagher who put in a great cross that McDougald headed towards the top corner, only denied by a great reaction save from Simon Brown.

Colchester had a lot of the ball but could not create any chances, and it was the Daggers that threatened the goal the most, as trialist Danny Hill shot just over from the edge of the box.

The Daggers also showed some good football, especially for their next chance. McDougald, Hill and Stein all combined in a passing move on the corner of the box before McDougald shrugged off a challenge but shot just wide.

Half-time saw Janney come on for Gallagher and he threatened to create several chances. Danny Hayzelden on the left also played very well, taking on the defender at every opportunity.

Colchester's keeper, who kept the socres level with a great stop in the first half, made two other outstanding saves which were basically the reason why the Daggers were denied victory. Hayzelden hit a fierce shot from just over 20 yards and it looked to be going for the top corner before Brown intervened.

He made another great save from McGavin, who was at Colchester last season. McGavin hit a curling shot with the outside of his left foot which looked to be looping in but again Brown denied the Daggers.

At the other end, the story could not have been more different. A long ball was left the go out by defence and keeper, but was caught and hooked back into play by the winger which set up a tap in at the far post.

The Daggers were still in the game though and got several crosses in through Brennan, Hayzelden and Janney, but the lack of height up front meant they couldn't be capitalised on. This was evident when Stein met a Janney cross but couldn't get over the ball and sent it high over the top.

At the other end the defence then gave Colchester another goal which signalled the end of the Daggers' efforts. From a corner, Gothard couldn't make up his mind whether to go or not, and everyone left it for a forward to prodhome from close range.

Gothard did make some effort to redeem himself with a great save on the stroke of full-time low to his right.

D & R: Paul Gothard, Steve Heffer, Mark Rooney, Lee Goodwin (Dave Bastion), Kieran Gallagher (Mark Janney), Danny Hayzelden, Paul Terry (Steve McGavin), Danny Hill, Mark Brennan (Steve Vaughan), Junior McDougald, Mark Stein.