At least pride was restored at Victoria Road on Tuesday night.

It might have only been the much-maligned JP Trophy, but Barnet were playing for more than a place in the second round.

After Saturday’s humiliation at Chester, the players had something to prove. They owed the fans a better performance, and they did at least go some way to repaying that debt.

There was a lot more passion and commitment, and the final scoreline was a little harsh on Barnet, who gave as good as they got. In fact, this tie could have gone either way, and it indeed did go every which way during a mad-cap opening 45 minutes that produced five goals.

The Bees scored twice through Adam Birchall, but still went in at the break behind. They were, however, still in the game until 15 minutes from time, when the Daggers finally sealed the win from the penalty spot.

The killer fourth Dagenham goal was also harsh on the visitors, who had looked the likelier to score in a second half that did not live up to the frantic antics of a very entertaining first 45 minutes.

The injury-hit Bees went into the game without a “natural” central defender, Michael Leary and Aswad Thomas asked to fill the roles.

Not surprisingly, the Barnet defence looked vulnerable in the first half. Fortunately, the Dagenham rearguard did too.

It made for an eventful first period, with both sides finding the net almost every time they went forward.

The Daggers struck first on four minutes. Debutant keeper Ran Kadoch did well to push out a low Mark Nwokeji drive, but it was only into the path of the oncoming Paul Benson.

Barnet were level within two minutes. Cliff Akurang, capitalising on a fortunate deflection, laid the ball off to Birchall and he beat keeper Ed Thompson from just inside the box.

And the Bees were deservedly in front on 18 minutes. Ashley Carew whipped in a super cross to the near post and Birchall, with his back to goal, turned to head the ball into the top corner, the keeper beaten by the sheer pace of the connection.

The lead lasted just ten minutes. A mistake from Thomas, who appeared to slip as he tried to clear the ball, gifted Nwokeji a free shot on goal, the Dagenham player making no mistake from ten yards.

With ten minutes of the half remaining, Benson beat the offside trap and coolly lobbed Kadoch.

Barnet created most of the second-half chances, but there were few of them.

And it was game over on 75 minutes, when Thomas tripped sub Jon Nurse, Glen Southam converting from the spot.

BARNET (4-4-2): Kadoch; Carew, Leary, Thomas, Gillet; Adomah, Mitchell, Bishop, Porter (Medley 66); Birchall, Akurang (Charles 81). Subs not used: Beckwith, Tabiri, St Aimie