Daggers looking to break barren home run against Dons

DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE will hope to bring their impressive away form back to Victoria Road with them on Saturday when they host MK Dons.

John Still’s side have lost three games in a row at the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham stadium and not won there since the 2-1 victory over Swindon Town on October 2.

In their last six away games however, the Daggers have picked up nine points from a possible 18 with wins coming against Yeovil Town, Carlisle United and Hartlepool United on Saturday.

Gavin Tomlin’s 86th minute winner was enough at Victoria Park, where Marvin Morgan played a crucial role in creating the goal on his full debut after arriving from Aldershot Town on loan.

In their 10 home games this season, Daggers have only conceded 14 goals, but have scored just 10 goals.

To help counter this, in addition to the signing of Morgan, Still this week signed striker John Akinde on loan from Championship side Bristol City until the end of the season.

The 21-year-old is unlikely to make his debut this weekend however as he is recovering from a groin strain.

“It’s always a concern when you’re not winning,” said Still, of their recent home record.

“But most of the games have been decided by the odd goal and it’s not as though we’ve been battered by anyone.

“In a lot of games I think we’ve been missing firepower up front, but, with Marvin and John coming in, I think that gives us more options now.”

Sill added, of Akinde: “We tried for him at the start of the season, but I’m delighted to have him on board now.”

“I’ve known about him and liked him since his days at Ebbsfleet and I think he’ll be a good player for us.

On the injury front, Josh Scott will also be unavailable after being hospitalised with a virus. Soiomon Taiwo, who injured his hamstring Alex Chamberlain against Southampton, has not fully recovered and will also sit out the Dons clash.

Still will have to make a tough decision in the centre of defence, with Will Antwi returning to full fitness after time off with flu.

The Ghanaian international impressed in defence after Scott Doe went down with injury and was even handed the captain’s armband when Mark Arber missed the game at Brentford through illness.

However, the Daggers boss is unlikely to drop his skipper and Doe’s impressive showing at Hartlepool saw him named in SkySports’ Football League team of the week.

The two sides have already met twice this season, on both occasions at stadium:mk, with Karl Robinson’s men coming out on top on both occasions.

In the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy clash, Damien McCrory opened the scoring with a superb, curling free kick, before the hosts recovered to win 2-1 and progress.

In the initial League One meeting, it was more comfortable for Dons as they put a dour first half behind them to run out 2-0 winners.

Robinson’s side have struggled away from their plush home base though this season, with nine defeats in 12 league games on the road, where they have conceded 25 goals in the process.

ODDS: Daggers 7/4 (PaddyPower) Draw 12/5 (various) MK Dons 15/8 (Victor Chandler)