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DAGENHAM & Redbridge manager Peter Taylor expressed his delight at seeing his team record a first clean sheet of the season after holding Salford City to a goalless draw in the Vanarama National League.
At the eighth time of asking, Daggers finally notched a shutout this term against an Ammies side who spent much of the game down to ten men after star summer signing Danny Lloyd collected two bookings in the first half.
In an eventful opening 45 minutes, Salford thought they had taken the lead in the 28th minute when Adam Rooney diverted a Nathan Pond header into the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Soon after, Lloyd collected his first booking for breaking up a quick break from the hosts, while his second came for a dive in the penalty area in the box in the 42nd minute.
That seemed to give Daggers a lift, though they were unable to capitalise with both Elliott Romain and Tomi Adeloye spurning good chances.
However, the Essex club were still able to collect just a second point of the term, pleasing Taylor.
“I didn’t think we started very well. We started nervously, maybe giving Salford too much respect because we know they’re a decent team and a strong team,” he said.
“I thought after 15-20 minutes, we started passing the ball and believing we could do something. I was quite happy with that. “I know they had a man sent off and that does help you at times, but there’s also many a time where that doesn’t help you. “Overall, I’m pleased for the players to get a clean sheet because they worked hard for it. “It was a big test against ten men because Salford have some very good players who can get goals and cause you problems. Overall, I was very happy with that performance.” Salford boss Graham Alexander, meanwhile, felt his team were on top prior to Lloyd’s dismissal. “I think we were dominating, especially when it was 11 against 11,” he said. “I think we bossed the first half and took the lead with a goal from the setpiece, but I’ve looked at it and seen it is offside, so the officials have got that right. “Just before halftime, Danny’s felt contact and has gone over. The referee’s deemed it differently and given him a second yellow. “There was an identical situation with their player (Lamar Reynolds) in the second half when he went down looking for the foul and nothing was done. “What I’m asking for is consistency, which I don’t think we got today. I don’t think it warranted a second yellow for Danny, or if it did, their player should have got the same punishment.”