Bees' promotion hopes pierced by Daggers (From Times Series)

Bees' promotion hopes pierced by Daggers

11:00am Tuesday 20th January 2004 in

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Barnet 2
Dagenham & Redbridge 4
Nationwide Conference

Martin Allen refused to criticise his players after they lost a pulsating derby clash at Underhill on Saturday.

Two goals from Bees top scorer Giuliano Grazioli, an Ian Hendon penalty miss and Chris Plummer's late sending off added to the drama on show but on an afternoon of excellent counter attacking play from the Daggers, Allen had few complaints.

"We tried our best they the players all gave maximum effort. There were a couple of pivotal moments in the game one of course being the penalty, but it wasn't to be," he said.

"The chance never went in they tried their best in the second half but it was against the run of play, a 25 yarder in the top corner and when those things go against you I think you start thinking oh God it's not going to be your day'.

"I'm sure Garry Hill would be very happy with the win at Barnet but I'm sure Garry will be scratching his head thinking why the hell don't we play like that every week' and that is a major criticism of their players. Today they were superb and if they play like that every week they wouldn't be where they are in the league."

Allen welcomed back injured striker Liam Hatch for the game and thrust him into an unfamiliar right midfield role and it looked as though the decision would pay handsome dividends as the 21-year-old forward unleashed powerful drives past Danny Naisbitt's goal.

The Bees enigmatic opponents signalled their intent on repeating the 5-2 thrashing they inflicted on Barnet earlier in the season when Tim Cole tamely headed a free header straight at Shane Gore soon after.

The east Londoners then took the lead in the most bizarre circumstances. Lively striker Chris Moore fired in a dangerous low cross into the box after 20 minutes and Simon King miscued to send the ball into the net via a slight deflection off Plummer.

Richard Pacquette had a good chance to give his side some breathing space a few minutes later but within 10 seconds Barnet drew level. A delightful ball over the top of the Daggers defence sprung the offside trap and Grazioli gratefully lobbed Naisbitt from just inside the area.

The home side were caught sleeping just two minutes later when a Paul Bruce cross was met by Cole in the six yard box and he made no mistake heading past Gore to give the visitors the lead once more.

Not to be outdone, however, the Bees immediately hit back and the pace of Ismail Yakubu forced Jimmy Jackson into a rash challenge inside the penalty area and the referee had no option but to point to the spot.

Ian Hendon stepped up to try and drag his side level but Naisbitt stood his ground to save his former captain's strike with his legs..

The Daggers almost went in to half time with an even bigger lead but wasteful finishing from Pacquette and Danny Hill ensured the scoreling remained in tact before the break.

Roared on by a passionate Underhill crowd, Barnet came out in the second half roaring. Hatch again forced Naisbitt into a last gasp save and the bustling Geoff Pitcher fired inches wide from 20 yards.

Dagenham then hit back with Pacquette blasting over the bar from eight yards but although the Bees enjoyed the lion's share of possession they lacked the killer instinct.

So it was almost inevitable when Mark Janney made it three with a rocket like shot into the top corner just before the hour mark. Although Barnet rallied with substitutes Mark Williams and Anthony McNamee causing havoc with their pace it was not until eight minutes from time that they got their reward.

McNamee raced down the left hand side and pulled back a precision cross which invited Grazioli to place an accurate stooping header past Naisbitt. Chaos then reigned, as Plummer was shown his second yellow card of the afternoon for barging Naisbitt out of the way in trying to retrieve the ball.

Danny Maddix wasted a good chance minutes later before Dagenham wrapped the game up with a goal deep in to stoppage time. Hill robbed Pitcher of the ball 30 yards from goal and he danced through the Bees' back line to chip a cool finish over the advancing Gore.

BARNET (4-4-2): Gore; Hendon, Maddix, Plummer, King; Hatch (Williams 72), Pitcher, Lopez, Yakubu (McNamee 38); Strevens, Grazioli. Subs not used: Millard, Rooney, Taggart. Attendance: 2006. Man of the match: Grazioli.