Sky Bet League Two: York City 0 Dagenham & Redbridge 2
Jamie Cureton scored once in each half at Bootham Crescent to show Dagenham & Redbridge supporters they shouldn’t worry about life after Rhys Murphy.
Murphy, the clubs top goalscorer last season, was sold to Oldham Athletic earlier in the week, but Cureton netted twice against York City to earn Wayne Burnett’s team another crucial three points in their battle to beat the drop.
Although the Minstermen enjoyed lots of possession, the away team always looked in control after their 19th minute opener and deservedly secured a second successive league win to move them up to 18th in the League Two table.
Captain Abu Ogogo returned to the starting team slotting in at right back with Damian Batt resigned to the bench, whilst Alex Jakubiak also earned a starting berth following his impressive cameo against Cheltenham Town.
Huddersfield forward Daniel Carr was named among the substitutes following his deadline day loan as Daggers started life without Murphy after his departure to Oldham Athletic earlier in the week.
The Minstermen edged the opening exchanges between the two teams with them putting some early pressure on Mark Cousins goal.
Andre Boucaud had the visitors first effort of the afternoon after 10 minutes, but he struck well wide after Ashley Hemmings cross was cleared.
York threatened to trouble Daggers from some set pieces, but didn’t show the desired quality and they were punished in the 19th minute.
Billy Bingham’s first time pass inside the centre circle released Cureton through on goal, although Keith Lowe was in close proximity.
The experienced forward shaked off the home defender before racing into the area and slotting past Bobby Olejnik.
He showed wonderful composure to score his 10th goal of the campaign and Daggers celebrated wildly in front of their away following.
Russell Wilcox’s team pushed to find a response, but weren’t able to conjure up anything of significance in the final third.
They won numerous corners and free kicks, but Burnett’s side were dealing with most and looked to be surviving with the half time whistle approaching.
However three minutes before the break they were reminded of the threat Wes Fletcher can pose.
He controlled Malvind Benning’s centre, worked a yard of space and got a shot off, but Cousins was equal to the effort and tipped it wide of the post.
From the resulting corner Daggers were able to break and Jakubiak brought the ball forward before threading a through ball for Hemmings to run onto.
But with the wide man bearing down on goal, Benning’s came across brilliantly to make a last ditch challenge and ensure it was just 1-0 to the away team at half time.
The start to the second period was error strewn from both teams with clearances not being long enough and passes not good enough.
Cureton showed true quality eight minutes after the break, though, as he collected Ayo Obileye’s chipped ball to go one on one with Olejnik again.
There was a hint of offside, but Daggers forward didn’t let it effect him as he coolly lobbed over the York keeper before wheeling off to celebrate his second of the match.
An early goal was just what Burnett would have asked from his team and it gave the home team a big task to get anything from the game.
Minstermen immediately tried to respond and Cousins flatted at Michael Coulson’s corner kick, but fortunately John McCombe fired over the bar.
Daggers looked threatening every time they brought the ball forward and nearly made it three when Jakubiak was played in, however Olejnik saved and Cureton fizzed the rebound just wide from 30-yards-out.
York continued to push for a way back into the game, but the away team were defending excellently and limiting them to long shots with Bradley Halliday taming shooting at Cousins from outside the area before Russell Penn volleyed over.
Emile Sinclair did give the visitors a brief worry when he outmuscled Bingham and got to the byline, and although his cross was cleared out to Benning - Doe was able to block his shot.
Carr was introduced in the 82nd minute for his debut to give Daggers fresh impetus up front as they looked to see out a second successive victory.
Bingham was forced to head away York substitute Jake Hyde’s header from a corner late on, but Burnett’s team displayed an air of confidence throughout at Bootham Crescent and secured another three points.
Dagenham & Redbridge starting team: Cousins, Ogogo, Doe, Obileye, Widdowson, Howell, Bingham, Boucaud, Hemmings, Cureton (Chambers 90), Jakubiak (Carr 82).
Unused substitutes: O’Brien, Batt, Saah, Labadie, Yusuff.
York City starting team: Olejnik, McCombe, Coulson, Fletcher (Morris 72), Penn, Carson, Montrose (Hyde 56), Lowe, Halliday, Benning, Sinclair.
York City substitutes: McCoy, Platt, Meikle, Ingram, Zubar.
Attendance: 2,958 (134 Daggers supporters).
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