By Elliot Day
After Wycombe Wanderers beat Dagenham and Redbridge on Tuesday evening to go level on points with top side Brentford, Blues manager Peter Taylor was understandably delighted.
After a poor first half in which Dagenham had the lion's share of chances, Wanderers looked a completely different team after the break, eventually gaining the upper hand in terms of possession and indeed the second half's best goal scoring opportunities. The only goal of the came when a Tommy Doherty through-ball found the former Crawley Town man JP Pittman on the edge of the area. After a neat turn that left his first marker for dead, it was raw pace that beat the second before he fired a stinging drive past Tony Roberts in the Daggers goal.
A string of fine saves from Jamie Young, making his first appearance since the 7-0 defeat by Shrewsbury four months ago, and some heroic defending from the likes of David McCracken, Gary Holt and Leon Johnson in the dying minutes of stoppage time ensured the victory. After the game Wanderers boss Peter Taylor told wwfc.com: "It was a massive result for us because I think the last six matches for us have not been brilliant and we are under pressure."
Furthermore, the Wanderers boss was under no illusions as to how important this victory was for the club's promotion push:
"I'm sure a lot of teams in League Two thought we would get walloped here so it's a massive win. Dagenham are one of the best teams at home, they get crosses in, they get bodies in, they are very positive and they need defending against. "
After losing out to Bradford at the weekend, despite an encouraging attacking display, and with Dagenham's formidable home record looming large, Wanderers were undoubtedly under a bit of pressure before the game. However this impressive result is a testament to the player's mental resolve as much as their strong character needed to overcome a Dagenham side that has scored 32 league goals at home.
After the game, Blues boss Peter Taylor agreed: "I think the players have done that. Every now and again you know you're going to get a chance and thankfully we took it."
Keep it wwfc.com for all the best photos from the Wanderers win at Victoria Road.
