Cureton’s got plenty left, says Burnett
DAGENHAM manager Wayne Burnett revealed Jamie Cureton is on the brink of signing a new contract after the striker netted his 20th goal of the season.
The striker’s 90thminute goal was not enough to help Dagenham finish their season on a high as strikes from Jimmy Keohane and Tom Nichols ended a fourgame losing streak for Exeter.
But Burnett insists Cureton is set to put pen to paper on a one-year deal and claims he could have several more years left in the tank despite turning 40 in August.
Burnett said: “He has done fantastically well to score 20 goals.
“At the start of the season we weren’t sure how many games he would manage to play, but he has played more games than any other player in the squad.
“That is all credit to him – it is a real achievement and I am delighted for him.
“I think he has got one or two more years in him yet. He is a player that you can only learn from and he is someone desperate to improve and score goals.
“We are close to agreeing a new deal with him and I am really pleased about that. I hope it will be done in the next couple of days.”
Exeter keeper James Hamon pulled off smart saves to deny Ashley Chambers and Matt Partridge as Daggers shaded the first half. The game was locked in stalemate until Keohane came off the bench to light up St James’ Park with a stunning finish in the 61st minute.
The striker cut in from the right before bending a curling shot into the top corner.
Ian Gayle presented Exeter with their second thanks to a horror back pass straight into the path of Nichols, who tapped the ball into an empty net.
Cureton claimed a late consolation after converting Chambers’ cross but there was no time for a late fightback.
Exeter boss Paul Tisdale praised his side after they bounced back from an eightgame winless run at the start of the season to finish tenth.
He said:“We started the season with plenty of pessimism around the place with the embargo and we were bottom of the league in September.
“It was miserable around the place and we had a really tough start, but we have built the season and finished tenth with 64 points, which is no bad effort.
“We have brought some very good players in and hopefully we can build now, stay healthy and start next year in better strength than we did this year. This was a really good game and it was nice to finish the season with a win after what has been a disappointing last fortnight.”