Daggers 2 Bradford 1

A PAUL Benson masterclass inspired Dagenham & Redbridge to a highly-impressive win over Bradford City, in a result that keeps John Still's men biting at the heels of League Two leaders Bournemouth.

To say Benson had an eventful game would be a gross understatement. The striker scored one, missed a penalty and had a hand in the Daggers' second during a scintillating match alongside the excellent Jon Nurse.

After Benson had put the hosts ahead Bradford managed to draw level, but a first goal for right-back Abu Ogogo sealed the points for Dagenham.

The early signs were good for the Daggers, as Benson gave a glimpse of what was to come, showing brilliant footwork and vision to find Jon Nurse. The striker laid the ball off to the on-rushing Tommy Tejan-Sie, but the midfielder's shot was blocked.

No matter, because the hosts were to enjoy a more successful raid forward just a minute later. Pressure from Nurse forced Steve Williams to put the ball out for a corner. Danny Green whipped the ball in and Scott Griffiths was able to get a stronger connection on the cross than keeper Simon Eastwood, with the ball falling to the feet of Benson two yards out. One swing of the boot later and it was 1-0.

Bradford barely managed to get out of their own half during the opening exchanges, but Jamie O'Brien did force a smart save out of Tony Roberts from a dipping volley 25 yards out.

It was to prove their only meaningful attack for some time, as Daggers continued their onslaught. Roberts' long throw found Green out on the right. The winger exchanged passes with Stuart Thurgood and sent in a testing delivery into the box, which Benson met with a diving header, only to see the ball sail wide.

The striker, having claimed his ninth goal of the season, was in fine fettle, tracking back when required, and acting as a constant thorn in the side of Bradford captain Zesh Rehman, winning almost every header and bringing his team-mates into play with an array of flicks and tricks.

However, just as it seemed that Dagenham were beginning to gain a stranglehold on the game, the visitors found an equaliser with their first corner of the game.

Roberts managed to clear the initial cross but the ball fell to Michael Flynn on the edge of the area, and his first-time volley caught the goalkeeper out of position and fizzed into the bottom corner.

Unperturbed, the home side foraged forward from the kick-off and were given the chance to regain the lead straight away.

More good hold-up play from Benson enabled him to divert the ball into the path of his strike partner Nurse, but he was stopped in his tracks towards goal by the leg of Williams, and the referee duly pointed to the spot.

The smart money would have been on Benson netting his tenth goal of the campaign, given the game he was having, but a bit of banter between his fellow goalscorer Flynn at the end of his run-up may have had the desired effect, as he inexplicably ballooned the ball into the stand.

The Daggers should have had another penalty minutes later when Nurse appeared to be tugged back, but the referee, apparently content with awarding just the one penalty for the day, waved away the appeals.

Bradford managed to collect themselves after that, and were comfortably the more dangerous side leading up to the break. Still would have been glad to get his troops in at half-time.

Indeed, whatever was said in the dressing room looked to have worked, as the Daggers emerged looking to replicate their dominant play that saw them take the lead earlier on.

First, Williams, who was having a torrid time at the back, almost headed Dasgenham back into the lead with a looping header from a free-kick, but his goalkeeper bailed him out with a good save.

Bradford continued to press but it was the home side who were threatening most.

Nurse, with his back to goal, teed up Green, but his thunderous shot rattled the crossbar. Benson then played in his strike partner, but Nurse delayed his shot for too long and Eastwood was able to rush out and snuff out the chance.

The omens looked good for Dagenham, and the breakthrough eventually arrived on 72 minutes. Unsurprisingly, Benson was involved again. He fed Nurse, who was enjoying one of his best games in a Dagenham shirt, and the forward was able to squirm the ball back into the six yard box after clashing with Eastwood, enabling Ogogo to slide in and fire the ball into the roof of the net for his first goal for the club.