Match Report by George Taylor

Marc White made just one change from Saturday’s slender victory at Meadowbank. Charlie Carter, who grabbed the only goal in our game with Gateshead, made way for Daniel Gallagher, having picked up a knock late on in the encounter.

The Wanderers came into tonight’s fixture with just one clean sheet in the League since the visit of Dagenham in early November and looked to improve on such form by keeping the hosts at bay. An early effort from Effiong forced Harrison Male into action, before denying a Hessenthaler header from close range.

Dagenham maintained their press in search of an opener but remained unable to cut through the Dorking defence. A tidy move from the Daggers opened up space for West Ham loanee Appiah- Forson to strike at goal, eventually sending a shot over the crossbar.

HT 0-0

Dagenham’s sustained pressure of Dorking would eventually be rewarded with a goal on the hour mark, coming courtesy of Wanderers’ nemesis Inih Effiong. The Dagger’s top scorer, who bagged against Dorking earlier in the season, found himself on the end of a clipped ball into the box, in turn stabbing past Male to record his ninth league goal of the season.

Two minutes later, Effiong was through on goal once again as he made headway from a Dagenham counter, on this occasion being denied by Harrison Male who rushed out of his goal to nullify the attack.

As the second half progressed, Dorking grew into the game and came close on a number of occasions, eventually being handed a lifeline deep into stoppage time after oncoming substitute Ottoway was fouled in the box. Bowerman’s spot kick was saved by Justham, but a goalmouth scramble allowed Josh Taylor to convert from close range, causing pandemonium amongst Wanderers fans behind the goal.

Dorking looked to have earned themselves a precious point in East London, only to be denied by Effiong once more. A throw in towards the Dorking box immediately after the equaliser was flicked on by Eastman towards Effiong, who got ahead of the Dorking defenders and struck home to secure all three points for his side.

The defeat sees Dorking drop two places to 19th in the table, albeit with two games in hand over Ebbsfleet United who sit just below us. The Wanderers now turn their attention to Saturday, in which we travel to Meadow Park to face Boreham Wood.