Dag & Red Tony Roberts Mark Rooney Ashley Vickers Lee Goodwin Mark Smith Jason Broom Mark Janney Paul Terry Ken Charlery Mark Stein Danny Shipp Substitutes Danny Hill Junior McDougald Danny Hayzelden Steve McGavin Paul Gothard

Goals Stein Blundell Stats 9 Goal Attempts 11 4 On Target 8 5 Off Target 3 0 Hit Woodwork 0 3 Corners 4 Cards Yellow None Talbot Red None None

Northwich Paul Gibson David Bardsley Mark Barnard Gary Burke Gary Talbot Denny Ingram Steve Garvey James Collins Mark Devlin Adie Mike Gregg Blundell Substitutes Jimmy Quinn Skinner Richard Norris Jake Sedgemore Walsh

The Daggers looked set to extend their lead at the top of the Conference in front of the Sky cameras as they played some good football in the first half and created several good chances.

Despite an early scare when Blundell's goal was ruled out for offside, the Daggers took control and soon created chances of their own. Mark Stein had a glorious chance when he met Janney's cross at the back post but headed over.

Shipp also hit a low shot that didn't trouble the keeper as it lacked the power, but Charlery should have scored when he went round the keeper but the angle was too tight and he shanked his effort wide.

However, Roberts had to make a wonder save from Garvey as the midifleder hit a 25-yarder that seemd destined to hit the back of the net but Roberts got across magnificently to save, before stopping the follow-up.

The Daggers carved Northwich apart of several more occasions, but the final ball was lacking. After some great passing, Goodwin crossed much too long, and on the other side of the field, Broom crossed too close to the keeper after some good play.

Stein finally hit the back of the net though after a recent dry run of several games. Janney dribbled through the defence and flicked it through to Stein who powered the ball past the keeper.

Stein looked to add a second as Terry's superb piece of skill and pass set him away, but he was pulled down and somehow the referee didn't send off the defender who was the last man.

Norhtwich were dangerous going foeard though, and a better header would have seen them equalise, but after a right wing cross, Roberts gathered the effort easily.

The second half was a contrast to the first though. The Daggers forgot how to play, the performance was abysmal and the ball was constantly given away. Northwich won the midfield easily, as out-of-position Shipp struggled to find his feet in the middle of the field, and at times, the Daggers defence looked very shaky.

Soon into the second half, the equaliser came. A quick free kick put Blundell through and Roberts made another superb save but nobody reacted to the rebound and Blundell placed it into the net.

The Daggers were struggling to get the ball into good positions, as they were out-battled in midfield, and the wingers had to come narrower to help out. The long-ball showed it's ugly head again, but it doesn't work despite Ken Charlery's height, as he doesn't even get off the ground when he jumps for it.

When the Daggers did get chances though, they missed them woefully. Terry went through and rolled the ball across the face of goal and wide, and Shipp hit a superb strike from the edge of the box that looked a certain goal but it found its way wide of the post.

McDougald also hit a weak effort from the edge of the box, but it was Northwich in the driving seat. The introduction of McGavin made things worse as his appalling work rate did nothing for the cause.

It was lucky for the home side that Northwich wasted some good chances. A volley over the bar from the edge of the box was followed by a six yard shot that went over before Blundell wasted the best chance of all.

Quinn's cross was met at the near post by Blundell, and with the defence on an away day, he slid into it unchallenged and scooped it over the bar.

In the dying seconds, Stein could have won it with a volley from six yards, but the defender made it hard for him and he didn't make good enough contact. The poor second half was not helped by the referee intent on blowing up for non-existent and silly little fouls when he would have been better to let it flow.