npower League One Dagenham & Redbridge 1 Colchester Utd 0

BAS Savage’s scrappy first half goal proved enough for Dagenham & Redbridge to see off Colchester United in a scrappy Essex derby.

Savage side-footed home a loose ball in the box after Romain Vincelot had somehow bundled his way through a series of challenges in the 11th minute.

That proved to be the winner as both sides showed little quality on a bobbly surface and the home side’s five-man midfield crowded out the visitors at Victoria Road.

Ian Henderson fired inches the wrong side of the near post and also had a goal ruled out for offside in the first half, but in truth the U’s rarely threatened.

There were a few boos from the frustrated visiting fans at the break and introduction of Steven Gillespie off the bench at the interval failed to lift John Ward’s team.

Jon Nurse headed a corner just wide for Dagenham, while Anthony Wordsworth chipped onto the roof of the net in what as even more forgettable second half.

There were yet more boos from the away fans at the end as Colchester slipped even further off the top isx.

– Reaction to follow. Full match report in tomorrow’s EADT.

DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE (4-5-1): Roberts; Ogogo, Doe, Arber (cpt), Ilesanmi; Green, Taiwo, Vincelot, Gain, Nurse; Savage (Morgan 65).

Unused Subs: Lewington; Ifil, Walsh; Bingham, Currie, Tomlin.

Booked: Green (85).

COLCHESTER UTD (4-4-1-1): Williams; White, Heath, Clarke, Coker; Henderson, James (Gillespie 46), Izzet, Wordsworth (Vincent 74); Bond; Odejayi (O’Toole 81).

Unused Subs: Cousins; Baldwin, Beevers; Perkins.

Booked: James (32).

Referee: Mr G Ward.