INIH RETURN NOT ONE TO REMEMBER FOR WOOD

INIH EFFIONG returned to haunt his former club with a 12th-minute winner to place a dent in their playoff hopes.

The Dagenham striker, who enjoyed two spells at Meadow Park from 2009 to 2012, struck with a bullet header to just about keep the Daggers in the play-off chase despite two straight defeats.

And the big striker should have wrapped it up a lot sooner for the Daggers but his penalty at the end of the first half was saved by keeper Nathan Ashmore.

“We were excellent today, from start to finish, and stood up to a lot of pressure,” said a delighted Daggers boss Ben Strevens.

“We could have had more goals and were very good on the break.”

Strevens’ side set their stall out early in front of the BT Sport cameras, dominating possession and outmuscling a lacklustre Wood.

Effiong had their first chance on three minutes but was unable to connect with a header.

But the forward made no mistake nine minutes later when Josh Hare played a free-kick to David LongeKing, who headed across goal into the path of Effiong, whose bullet header gave Wood keeper Ashmore no chance.

Effiong went close again on 24 minutes but his shot was blocked by Wood centre-back Will Evans before Ashmore was called upon to pull off an excellent save to deny Myles Weston.

But Dagenham should have doubled their lead on 41 minutes when Wood defender Femi Ilesamni fouled Weston in the penalty area, referee Jacob Miles had no hesitation in pointing to the spot – Effiong, usually so reliable from 15 yards, had his penalty saved by Ashmore.

Wood were slightly better in the second half and came out with a purpose. Tyrone Marsh headed just wide from a Brunt corner before Lee Ndlovu was denied by a fantastic block from Manny Onariase as he was about to shoot, the ball ricocheted into the path of Dion Kelly-Evans, who shot high and wide.

Kelly -Evans had another chance on 64 minutes but this time, his shot was blocked heroically by Sam Ling.

Dagenham weren’t finished, though, and had chances to double their lead – Weston going through on goal but shooting straight at Ashmore, while captain Angelo Balanta screwed a shot wide when well placed.

Broadbent had the hosts’ only shot on target on 83 minutes but his well struck volley was straight at Daggers keeper Elliot Justham.

But that was as good at it got for the hosts, no wonder manager Luke Garrard was downbeat. “They could have won by two or three,” he said. “With other results going for us, we had a great opportunity today. We were disjoined and were second best. It is frustrating and annoying.”

STAR MAN: Inih Effiong (Dagenham) ATT: 1,356 ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★ REFEREE: Jacob Miles