Junior Morias’s late strike secured a crucial 1-0 victory for Dagenham & Redbridge against Rochdale at the Chigwell Construction Stadium, a result that saw the Daggers leapfrog their opponents in the National League table. The 79th-minute goal, a composed finish from Morias following a deft through-ball from Dion Pereira, punctuated a match largely defined by its tense and cagey nature.
The opening period saw both sides approach the game cautiously, with neither willing to risk conceding an early goal. Rochdale, buoyed perhaps by their recent away victory at Gateshead, attempted to establish control of possession, but found Dagenham’s well-organised defence difficult to penetrate. Meanwhile, the home side looked to capitalise on the counter-attack, although clear-cut chances proved scarce in the first half.
The second half witnessed a gradual increase in tempo. Shortly before the decisive goal, Rochdale manager Jimmy McNulty introduced Matthew Dennis and veteran striker Ian Henderson in a double substitution designed to bolster his side’s attacking threat. However, it was Dagenham who ultimately broke the deadlock. Pereira’s incisive pass split the Rochdale defence, perfectly weighting the ball for Morias to calmly slot past the advancing goalkeeper.
Rochdale rallied in the closing stages, pressing for an equaliser, but Dagenham’s resolute and disciplined defending repelled their advances. As tensions frayed in the final minutes, Kairo Mitchell of Rochdale and Dagenham’s Romoney Crichlow both received yellow cards for fouls. Dagenham then replaced goalscorer Morias with Dylan Stephenson to see out the victory.
The three points lift Dagenham to 14th in the National League table with 28 points, while Rochdale drop to 9th on 33 points. The two sides have a closely contested recent history, with one win apiece and a draw in their last three encounters.