Stevenage 1  Mark Westhead 2  Simon Travis 5  Jason Goodliffe 8  Sam McMahon 14  Jamie Cook 18  Danny Carroll 22  Tony Battersby 32  Michael Warner 34  Steve Watson 35  Nathan Bunce 37  Anthony Elding Substitutes 3  Stuart Fraser 7  Simon Wormull 9  Justin Richards 16  Lionel Perez 28  Gary MacDonald

Goals Carroll   Elding   Stats 9 Goal Attempts 5 7 On Target 3 2 Off Target 2 0 Hit Woodwork 0 7 Corners 5 Cards Yellow Elding Cole Red None None

Dag & Red Tony Roberts  1 Tim Cole  2 Ashley Vickers  3 Lee Goodwin  4 Danny Shipp  9 Mark Stein  10 Danny Hill  14 Steve West  15 Lee Matthews  17 Tarkan Mustafa  19 John McGrath  26 Substitutes Mark Smith  5 Mark Janney  7 Junior  13 Paul Gothard  18 Jason Broom  23

The unbeaten had to end eventually, and the writing was on the wall after uninspired performances in the previous two weeks. This was always going to be a tough game against a Stevenage side that had new life after a massive turnover of players. Jason Broom was back in the squad after re-signing from Grays. Junior was benched as Stein started.

It seemed like the Daggers would be back on form after just a few seconds, as they kept the ball for about 10 passes with some good movement which ended with Shipp skewing his shot wide from a good position. Stein put his shot off target as well soon after and the Daggers were then pushed back by the home side. Early promise soon disappeared as the Daggers struggled to get into a rhythm, mainly due to a loss in the midfield in Heffer and Terry's absence.

Roberts was called into action to make a good save from McMahon's header after he had punched a cross clear. Elding then cut inside and shot at the near post which Roberts kept out. A lot of physical pressure was being placed on the Daggers defence as the midfield failed to offer any protection and they did well to keep it 0-0 at half time.

After the break Mustafa seemed ready to put his first half behind him with a powerful run and cross but as in the first, this was a false dawn. The forward line was having problems as Stein gave the ball away on almost every occasion and West's flicks were not finding the ex Chelsea man. Again Stevenage pushed the Daggers back and got a goal for their efforts when Danny Carroll headed home a left wing cross which gave Roberts no chance.

West was replaced for Junior but this failed to have any impact as the aerial battle was now an easy task for the home defence, Stein lucky to stay on. Hill was also taken off for Janney which was little suprise as the ball spent most of the time over Hill's head and the physical nature of the game wasn't really his style.

Tim Cole headed at Westhead who tipped over when well placed and the other half of the goal gaping. Stevenage were going to do anything to win it seemed. After putting the ball out for an home injury, the ball was given back to the Daggers right in corner forcing Roberts to go and fetch whilst Elding decided to close it down. It was Elding who made it safe though as he turned well on the edge of the box and rifled the ball past Roberts.

The Daggers couldn't get back into the game although Cole headed wide again, but the game was never going to be theirs. Stevenage spent the rest of the game signalling '2-0' with their hands to the home crowd as the game fell away into a comfortable home win.