Abu Ogogo of Dagenham is brought down in the penalty area by Aaron Downes of Torquayand Medy Elito fired the spot kick past Michael Poke. Pic: Dave Simpson/TGS.

League Two: Dagenham & Redbridge 2 Torquay United 2

Daggers boss Wayne Burnett failed to pick up his first home win despite visitors Torquay spending 86 minutes with 10 men as they claimed a precious point in a 2-2 draw.

It was the perfect start for the hosts as Gulls skipper Lee Mansell’s weak back header in the fourth minute allowed his opposite number Abu Ogogo to burst through on goal, only to be brought down by Aaron Downes in the box.

Referee Keith Stroud had no choice but to award the spot kick and send Downes off.

For the second game in succession Elito stepped up to take the penalty and slotted past Michael Poke.

But the hosts failed to make the most of their numerical advantage with Scott forcing Poke into a great tip over the bar from Elito’s inswinging delivery and Bingham fired wide when unmarked.

Daggers failed to break down the visitors right up until the final minutes of the half when Scott Doe flicked Matt Saunders’ corner into the side netting.

The hosts failed to take further advantage early in the second half as Elito twice fired wide from good goalscoring opportunities..

But after that you’d have thought it was Daggers down to the 10 men as Torquay spent most of it in the ascendancy.

The Gulls now the upperhand and Chris Lewington was on top form to deny Brian Saah after his header from Cruise’s free-kick looked destined for the goal with 20 minutes remaining.

And with 72 minutes on the clock they were level when Saah brought the ball down and Joss Labadie fired into the roof of the net from close range.

The visitors continued to be on top and Labadie saw a late free-kick hit the stanchion behind the goal, however, against the run of play with five minutes left Daggers were in front again.

A ball in from Saunders from the edge of the area was volleyed in at the back post by Josh Scott, with Torquay feeling the striker was offside.

But that wasn’t the end of the drama as Luke Wilkinson conceded a penalty for bringing down Lloyd Macklin in the box and Rene Howe converted for his 15th of the season to level things once again.

Saunders saw a late chance go just over the bar as Daggers pressed but they had to settle for a point, which for much of the second half looked precarious.

Dagenham & Redbridge: Lewington, Ilesanmi, Doe, Wilkinson, Hoyte, Saunders, Howell (Strevens 69), Ogogo, Bingham (Green 80), Elito, Scott.

Substitutes not used: Seabright, Reed, Maher, Dennis, Gracco.

Attendance: 1,227 (124 Torquay fans)