Port Vale 0 Dagenham & Redbridge 1
by Ricky Butler at Vale Park
The Daggers recent revival continued as a second half header from Mickey Spillane gave John Still's side a very important three points at Vale Park on Saturday.
But it was only a superb late penalty save from goalkeeper Chris Lewington to deny Vale's top scorer Marc Richards that ensured the East-Londoners left Staffordshire with the victory that lifts them up to 19th place in the table.
"Chris is a young goalkeeper who has made mistakes, but we are not over-critical,'' said Still.
''We are a club who work with our players and help them to improve. He is improving and he's done very well to save the penalty, which has made sure we are going home with another very important victory.
"This is a tough place to come and Vale are in a false position after they had points deducted for going into administration. I'm absolutely delighted with the result.
"I felt we set up right because Chris hasn't had a lot to do until the penalty. He saved a couple of long-range shots early on, but we looked comfortable after that."
In a first half of very few chances, Vale threatened through the dangerous Richards and Louis Dodds early on, but it was Still's men who should have been in front at the break.
Medy Elito, who struck two vital goals in the recent win over Macclesfield, beat Vale keeper Stuart Tomlinson from 20 yards but his 44th minute effort came back off the inside of the left hand post and rebounded to safety.
After weathering some early Vale pressure at the start of the second half, the Daggers began to look more dangerous and they grabbed a fully deserved 65th minute lead.
Damien McCrory whipped in an inviting free kick from the right and Spillane arrived to send a powerful header beyond Tomlinson from six yards, sending the 114 away fans behind the goal into ecstasy.
The former Brentford man arrived at the club before Christmas as a defender but it has been his goals from midfield in recent weeks that have proved crucial for the Daggers survival hopes.
Vale, who went into administration last month, fought hard to get back on level terms in the closing stages but they ran into a resolute Daggers back-line, superbly marshalled by skipper Mark Arber.
However, with just eight minutes left on the clock referee Lee Collins spotted a push by Daggers substitute Charlie Wassmer on Josh Pope inside the area and awarded the hosts a rather generous penalty.
The Daggers npower League Two future was now very much in the balance but Lewington, who's late mistake cost his side two vital points at Barnet 10 days earlier, was the hero this time - diving to his left to keep out Richards' kick before then blocking the follow-up from Sean Rigg.
The danger was not over as Arber was forced to hack the ball clear in the ensuing scramble but the Daggers held on to extend their unbeaten run to four matches.
"I thought the win was deserved and if we keep putting in this level of performance then we should be fine,'' said Still.
"I'm very happy for everyone involved with the club because 10 points out of 12 is a great return at this stage of the season."
The Daggers now host fellow-strugglers Burton Albion on Good Friday looking for the win that could see them move eight points clear of the drop zone with just seven matches to play - an incredible turn around after looking doomed less than three weeks ago.
Attendance; 4,127(114 away)
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