Woodall leaves it late to earn Daggers a point

A spectacular late equaliser from Brian Woodall extended Daggers unbeaten run to five matches, as they continue to battle bravely against the drop.

In a game of few chances former Spurs loanee Jacques Maghoma curled in the opening goal for the visitors.

Daggers looked to have run out of puff as they desperately piled forwards for the equaliser, but Woodall popped up with a goal two minutes from time to claim a point.

Boss John Still made two changes to the side that beat Port Vale, with Woodall in to partner John Akinde up front, while Dominic Green started on the left – Billy Bingham and Jon Nurse dropped out.

Daggers made a confident start and Still was convinced his side should have had a penalty on 15 minutes when Jack Dyer appeared to block Scott Doe’s cross with his hand.

Despite furious appeals however, referee Gavin Ward waved play on.

Burton briefly threatened midway through the half as Jimmy Phillips beat defender Scott Doe on the left flank, but his floated shot was comfortably caught by keeper Chris Lewington.

Front two Justin Richards and Greg Pearson then linked up for the first time with the latter heading wide across goal.

For the majority of the first 45 minutes though, the Daggers backline were in control, but they struggled for creativity in the final third.

Michael Spillane proved the biggest goal threat from central midfield with two shots from outside of the box that crept wide, while Akinde missed the target with a near post header.

Clear cut chances were at a premium in the first half, but the second period exploded into life as Akinde saw his low shot blocked on the line by defender Andrew Corbett.

But on 48 minutes the home side were stunned when Maghoma curled a brilliant 25-yard strike out of Lewington’s reach to give Burton the lead.

Daggers were denied an equaliser midway through the second half when Doe met Medy Elito’s corner at the near post, but his header was cleared off the line by Adam Bolder.

Burton missed chances to wrap the points up as Lionel Ainsworth and Bolder had low shots saved by Lewington.

As time appeared to be running out and Daggers unbeaten run looked set to end, top-scorer Woodall came up with a moment of magic.

The former Gresley man fired in his ninth goal of the season with a ferocious strike from outside the box to salvage an important point.

Dag & Red: Lewington, Doe, Baudry, Arber, McCrory (Bingham 83), Green (Parker 69), Spillane, Ogogo, Elito, Woodall, Akinde (Scott 67). Subs not used: Hogan, Bingham, Wassmer.

Burton: Atkins, Corbett, Stanton, Austin, Webster, Maghoma, Dyer (Ainsworth 57), Bolder, Phillips, Richards (Zola 64), Pearson (Ada 70). Subs not used: James, Taylor.

Attendance: 2,035 (123 away).