Shrewsbury 2 Dagenham 1

Last updated : 30 August 2003 By Footymad Previewer

After suffering their first defeat of the season at Chester City on Tuesday night, Shrewsbury Town put their Nationwide Conference promotion push back on course with a 2-1 home victory over visiting Dagenham & Redbridge.

First-half goals from Jamie Tolley and Colin Cramb put Shrewsbury in charge of a competitive encounter.

However, when the home side went off the boil in the second half, Dagenham hit back with a goal from Mark Bentley that made for an awkward final 20 minutes for Jimmy Quinn's men, who ultimately had to work hard for the three points.

With highly-rated striker Luke Rodgers - widely tipped to be the top scorer in the Conference this term - still to hit his stride, Shrewsbury were soon pushing forward and almost went ahead on seven minutes.

However, Rodgers saw his shot drift wide. Six minutes later full-back Gregor Rioch saw his pile-driver parried by Dagenham keeper Tony Roberts, with the rebound just eluding Rodgers.

However, there was no such reprieve for Roberts in the 35th minute when Tolley put Shrewsbury ahead.

When the visitors' defence failed to clear, the ball fell to Tolley - who scored with a powerful header from 15 yards, scoring his second goal in two games after also netting at Chester in midweek.

Six minutes later Shrewsbury went further ahead as a smart pass from Steve Jagielka found Cramb in the clear - and the striker advanced to nudge the ball past Roberts and claim his third goal of the campaign.

After the break Shrewsbury continued to press, but lost momentum as the half unfolded and although Dagenham substitute Alex Meechan missed from close range on 65 minutes, Bentley made no mistake two minutes later, converting Lee Matthews' cross from four yards.

Meechan was denied an equaliser by a fine diving stop from Shrewsbury keeper Scott Howie on 77 minutes - while at the other end, Roberts saved well from Steve Watts, as the home side sought to put the outcome beyond doubt.