ALDERSHOT TOWN 2

DAGENHAM &

REDBRIDGE 3

ALDERSHOT'S play-off hopes took a hit last night as they threw away a two-goal lead and suffered their first home league defeat since October.

The Shots appeared to be cruising when Scott Donnelly put them 2-0 ahead six minutes into the second half after Kirk Hudson's first-half opener.

But three goals in the last half an hour – the winner just five minutes from time – broke Aldershot's hearts and condemned the promotion hopefuls to a rare defeat at the EBB Stadium.

To make matters worse, Dagenham and Redbridge's win catapulted them above the Shots in the table to within two points of the sought-after play-off places.

And it was the Daggers who threatened early, with Shots defender Anthony Charles forced to whip the ball away from the feet of Josh Scott on the edge of the six-yard box and concede a corner.

At the other end, Oliver Bozanic forced Daggers goalkeeper Tony Roberts into a smart save on 20 minutes.

But Aldershot weren't to be denied for long as Hudson opened the scoring two minutes later. A ball from the back from Ben Herd was touched on by Donnelly into Hudson's path and the young striker made no mistake with his finish.

Willowy Shots striker Marvin Morgan was then denied by an alert Roberts on the edge of the 18-yard box before Charles chanced his arm with an audacious shot from 40 yards that threatened to surprise the Daggers goalkeeper before it drifted harmlessly wide.

Marlon Pack tried to conjure up an equaliser for Dagenham & Redbridge early in the second half but his effort sailed over the crossbar.

And they soon fell 2-0 behind. Just moments after Danny Hylton had fired just wide after good work from Hudson, Donnelly cracked in a half-volley from outside the penalty area that left Roberts with no chance.

But just when it looked as though Aldershot would cruise to another home win, disaster struck.

Dagenham's first goal came via the head of returning frontman Paul Benson on 65 minutes from Danny Green's floated free-kick.

Six minutes later, Dagenham & Redbridge drew level as that man Benson picked up the ball midway inside the Aldershot half, raced up the middle and unleashed a low 20-yarder that found the bottom corner.

And five minutes from time the astonishing turnaround was complete when substitute Wesley Thomas latched onto a long ball from deep inside his own half, nipped in front of Andy Sandell and got in a cross which Scott was able to bundle across the line.

Aldershot: Henderson, Herd, Straker (Soares 90), Blackburn, Donnelly, Charles, Hudson, Harding, Bozanic, Morgan (Hylton 46), Sandell (Winfield 89). Subs (not used): Chalmers, Howell.

Dagenham & Redbridge: Roberts, Gain, McCrory, Doe, Pack, Arber, Green (Thomas 71), Ogogo, Nurse (Montgomery 66), Scott, Benson. Subs (not used): Uddin, Currie, Tejan-Sie.

Attendance: 2,053.

Referee: Trevor Kettle.