SHREWS STRIKE GOLD - TWICE!
AQUICK-FIRE double from Shrewsbury's Connor Goldson left Daggers boss Wayne Barnett seething after the defender guided Town to a fourth consecutive win.
Goldson struck twice in just five first-half minutes as Shrewsbury moved to within a point of top spot in League Two.
The centre-back was given the freedom to roam at set-pieces with Barnett blasting his side's marking.
And the Dagenham & Redbridge manager's frustration was evident following the match as he vowed to get the result he says his side need to secure their Football League status once and for all.
“We haven't marked the opposition properly and that is what has cost us,” Barnett said.
“If you want to be successful you have to be responsible but we've had two disappointing results and performances.
“Now I think we need another win to make sure we don't get dragged back into anything.
“I can't emphasise the work we do to prepare players for these games but they need to manage games better.
“We started well and took the game to them and at times we gave a good account of ourselves.
“But goals change games and we didn't really trouble Shrewsbury's goalkeeper enough. We didn't break them down.”
Billy Bingham unleashed a searing 12th-minute strike that shaved the foot of the Shrewsbury post.
But it was Shrewsbury who opened the scoring when Goldson met Liam Lawrence's 17th-minute corner.
The defender scored his second of the game when he headed in a Lawrence free-kick just five minutes later.
Mickey Demetriou failed to make it three when his shot was turned away by Mark Cousins.
The Daggers goalkeeper was in action again when he denied both Ryan Woods and Jermaine Grandison in quick succession.
And Cousins also thwarted James Collins from close range before Jean-Louis Akpa-Akpro slid a shot past the post on the stroke of half-time.
Jamie Cureton found the side-netting as the Daggers tried to force a way back into the game on 49 minutes.
Collins then fired in a volley at the other end with Cousins once more alert to the danger and Town substitute Tyrone Barnett almost got the touch he needed to convert Demetriou's inviting cross.
But Shrewsbury manager Micky Mellon was just happy to get the victory he craved, particularly as leaders Burton drew at Plymouth.
He said: “It is a terrific win for us at this time of the season.
“I am delighted to get the three points. The fire and intensity just wasn't there but the players responded.
“Connor Goldson has scored two terrific headers and we made it comfortable for ourselves.
“Results elsewhere have helped us but we need to keep taking care of our own business and if we do that then whatever happens elsewhere will make the points we pick up that little bit sweeter.”