United 0 Dagenham 0
Match Sponsor: KINGFISHER PRINT & DESIGN
Matchball Sponsor: Manor Building
Man of the Match: Eunan O'Kane
Another point gained, a clean sheet and a fourth game unbeaten was the final analysis from the match with Dagenham at Plainmoor. Considering there were eight goals in the reverse fixture back in August there wouldn't have been many spectators or armchair pundits who would have predicted a goal free stalemate but in the end both teams effectively cancelled each other out and while not a classic match by any means both teams will go home happy with something from the game.
There were two changes from the starting line-up that took to the field against Accrington; with Elliot Benyon dropping to the bench and Lloyd Macklin not in the 18 man squad it meant recalls for Eunan O'Kane & Tyrone Thompson. Wayne Carlisle had a reoccurrence of his knee injury and missed the match.
United lined-up with a 4-4-2 formation that included Nicky Wroe & Eunan O'Kane taking up the wide positions and Tyrone Thompson & Lee Mansell operating in the middle.
The match began in perfect evening football conditions on a slightly sticky pitch but no worse than that. There were no clear chances created in the first quarter of an hour and the game was an even contest. Ashley Barnes was booked in the 18th minute for a tackle on McCrory and we were still waiting for the first attempt at goal which finally came when Eunan O'Kane had a snap-shot from 15 yards after a Nicky Wroe corner but the ball went well wide of its intended target.
Sixty seconds later and United again attacked, this time down the left, and a dummy from Ashley Barnes ended up with the ball at Chris Zebroski's feet but his left foot shot on the turn from the edge of the area was too weak to trouble Roberts in the Dagenham goal.
Scott Bevan was called into action just before the half hour mark after Green provided a cross from the right for Benson to head at goal but the United 'keeper palmed the ball away for a corner.
There was plenty of endeavour during the first half but very little in the way of real quality from either side although with Lee Mansell putting in another hard working performance and Eunan O'Kane showing some unique vision in midfield United probably shaded the first period.
Both benches were probably happy enough to be scoreless at the break but those watching would have been hoping for a touch more in the way of excitement in the second period.
Half-Time: United 0 Dagenham 0
The second half began in a far brighter fashion with both sides looking sharper in attack although neither goalkeeper was called into action. Lee Mansell had a couple of sights of goal early into the second half action but on both occasions he was slightly off target. At the other end the visitors were also starting to crank things up and Benson should have given Scott Bevan far more of a problem with a clear sight at goal from 20 yards but thankfully he hit his shot low and straight at the United 'keeper.
Nicky Wroe also found himself looking at the Dagenham goal with time to shoot on two occasions but his aim was also a little awry although the fact that chances for United were being created was a big positive.
It was a match that always threatened to break out into a real end-to-end thriller but it never quite managed to get over the crest of a slump and free wheel its way toward an exciting end although the commitment of the United team was as evident as it had been in the victory over Accrington three days before.
The third quarter of the match was an even affair with defences on top but Lee Mansell couldn't have come much closer to scoring in the 74th minute when he hit a thunderous shot from 25 yards that struck the crossbar and bounced back into open play. Shortly after that incident Bucks made his first change with Elliot Benyon replacing Tyrone Thompson and moving up to partner Ashley Barnes in attack with Chris Zebroski moving to left wing.
United almost won it at the death when Eunan O'Kane delivered a superb right foot free-kick from the left which Guy Branston was millimetres away from flicking into the goal but the ball eluded Branston and was palmed away by Roberts.
In conclusion this was another valuable point gained against a side that are challenging for a play-off spot and if the next four matches are also negotiated with similar results we may well be looking at a second season in League 2 safe & secure.
