DOGGED DAGGERS HOLD ON
SOUTHEND United moved into the National League’s top ten following this derby draw with Dagenham & Redbridge at Roots Hall.
Dagenham dominated the first half and took the lead after 14 minutes through Ryan Hill.
The Shrimpers fought back after the break to secure a share of the spoils with Danny Waldron firing home from close range.
And Southend boss Kevin Maher felt there a big improvement from his side in the second 45 minutes.
“It was a game of two halves,” said Maher. “The first half was really poor from our point of view.
“We didn’t settle into the game and we got a lot of the basics wrong. We were too open and too easy to play against.
“We spoke about that yesterday but it seemed to happen again.”
The Shrimpers rallied after the break and Maher was pleased to get back on level terms.
“We knew we couldn’t perform like that again and credit to the players,” said Maher.
“It was hurting them we were behind and it could have been more in all honesty.
“Thankfully it was just 1-0 and we’ve been there before. We had to up the tempo and the quality.
“We made sure we were organised behind the ball better and we felt like we could score.”
Dagenham, who are 12th in the table, threatened first with makeshift striker Harry Phipps having a well struck shot smartly saved by Southend goalkeeper Collin Andeng Ndi to his left hand side.
However, the visitors remained on top and broke the deadlock in the 14th minute when Dion Pereira darted down the left hand side and crossed into the path of Hill who scored with a low shot from eight yards.
Dagenham remained on top after taking the lead and soon came close to making it 2-0 when Josh Rees latched onto the ball just inside the penalty area, only to see his shot bounce back off the crossbar after a touch from Andeng Ndi.
With the Shrimpers rattled Cav Miley was then shown a yellow card for a poor challenge on Hill which angered the visitors before the hosts managed their first shot on target with Gus Scott-Morriss firing straight at Elliot Justham from long range.
Dagenham were soon back on top with Rees having a close range header well saved by Andeng Ndi but Southend improved after the break and drew back level in the 47th minute.
Harry Cardwell sped down the right flank and delivered a brilliant low cross Waldron slid into the back of the net from close range.
The Shrimpers looked more likely to score after drawing back level and came close to taking the lead when substitute Henry Sandat slammed a well struck shot against the crossbar.
STAR MAN: Collin Andeng Ndi (Southend) ATT: 8,216
ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★
REFEREE: Ben Wyatt