ALDERSHOT TN 2, DAGENHAM 1

SHOTS manager Gary Waddock admitted that any victory, however it was achieved, was vital on a nervy night at the EBB Stadium. In combining defensive resilience with flashes of attacking flair, this was undoubtedly Aldershot Town’s best performance of the season as they saw off Peter Taylor’s Dagenham & Redbridge on Tuesday.

Regan Booty’s teasing cross provoked Daggers defender Alex Davey into scoring a third-minute own goal to set Aldershot on their way. But even though Shamir Fenelon smashed in a second after the break, there remained an inevitable degree of tension in the closing stages.

“I don’t care if we played well or were hopeless, we won the game and got three points,” was Waddock’s succinct summary. “Every single player gave their all for the badge and that’s all we ask. It was doom and gloom after three games, just one week into the season, but now everybody goes home happy.”

An encouraging start by the hosts did earn immediate reward. Booty’s inswinging corner deflected into the net off Davey, possibly with the help of an initial touch from Scott Rendell, who was still trying to claim the goal long after the final whistle.

Matt Robinson and Tommy Adeloye fired shots off target as the Daggers threatened, but Fenelon and Dan Holman both went close as the Shots grew in confidence, despite an injury to George Fowler which saw midfielder Luke Howell employed as an emergency right-back.

Holman’s 25-yard drive fizzed inches over the crossbar and Aldershot, having ended the first half in the ascendancy, added a second on 55 minutes. Luke Wanadio’s cross prompted wayward efforts from Holman and Rendell, before Fenelon finally lashed the ball into the net.

Rendell himself could have sealed victory with a third goal, but with their first shot on target – which didn’t arrive until the 73rd minute, Dagenham set about mounting a grandstand finish. Substitute Chike Kandi, whose arrival sparked a nearly decisive comeback, volleyed an angled shot into the top corner of the net from a looping, left-wing cross.

Elliot Romain’s low cross through the six-yard box was nearly turned in by the sliding Adeloye and the pair, plus Kandi, all had shots within a single spell of pressure.

In the fourth minute of stoppage time, another influential replacement, Lamar Reynolds, raced in behind to slide the ball into the net, only for his celebrations to be cut short by a raised offside flag.

Aldershot showed admirable resolve in the closing stages to earn a result, and finally their renowned creative prowess showed signs of bearing fruit.

Aldershot: Mannion; Bernard, Fowler (McDonnell 28), Lelan, Kinsella; Wanadio (Berkeley-Agyepong 57), Howell, Booty, Fenelon (Rowe 70); Rendell, Holman. Subs (not used): Cole, McClure. Booked: Booty, Howell, McDonnell.

Dagenham: Justham, Gordon, Robinson, Davey, Pennell (Reynolds 46), McQueen, Donovan (Kandi 63), Romain, Phipps (Harfield 85), Adeloye, Wright. Subs (not used): Moore, Hoyte. Booked: Davey.

Referee: Daniel Middleton.

Attendance: 1,917 (122 away).

• Harrogate Town, promoted from the National League North through the play-offs last season, make their first visit to Aldershot on Saturday. The North Yorkshire side are unbeaten in four games, beating Barnet 2-0 on Tuesday after three successive draws.