Missed chances end unbeaten record for Ammies
SALFORD City manager Graham Alexander rued missed chances as Dagenham and Redbridge came from behind to win 2-1 at the Peninsula Stadium – ending The Ammies’ unbeaten home record in the National League this season.
Carl Piergianni gave the home side the advantage inside 15 minutes, rising highest from a corner to mark his midweek contract extension with a goal.
Dagenham equalised shortly before the interval when Conor Wilkinson converted with a precise header – his fifth in his last 6 league outings.
Angelo Balanta nodded in an enticing corner in the second period, which proved enough to clinch victory for Daggers despite a late Salford onslaught.
Alexander said: “It was a decent start and we got the lead, but should have built on that.
“We took our foot off the pedal and should have shown the hunger and ruthlessness to go on and win the game. We had plenty of opportunities.
“We allowed Dagenham to get back in it and by the time we reacted, we were 2-1 down.”
Table-toppers Leyton Orient defeated Chesterfield 3-1, meaning Salford sit four points behind them ahead of their Boxing Day fixture away to Wrexham.
“It’s as important as any other game,” noted Alexander. “If people aren’t intelligent enough to focus on the next game or training session, then they’ll be letting themselves down.
“We understand in football that you can make mistakes and focus can slip sometimes, but you have to learn from it.
“We have to make sure that doesn’t happen again.”