Dagenham & Redbridge boss frustrated and gutted by loss

Josh Rees put them ahead against the high-flying Spireites, but Harry Phipps was dismissed with 20 minutes remaining.

And Ryan Colclough levelled moments later, before Will Grigg converted a late penalty and Oliver Banks sealed a 3-1 home win in the seventh minute of injury time.

“We knew we had to be incredibly disciplined here because they’ve got fantastic players,” Strevens told the club website.

“The attacking threats, we had to be very respectful, work to a game plan and know we could get our counter attacking moments and we did. They were huge. Them moments to get that second goal.

“We knew they would come on strong late in the game, just frustrated and gutted we didn’t have 11 players when they came strong late in the game.

“It was really hard for the boys at that moment, they couldn’t give any more, they were trying their hardest, but that overload with the power they had, it was always going to be tough to see the game out.”

Ryan Hill and Rees had chances to open the scoring before combining to put Daggers in front five minutes before the break.

But Phipps was given his marching orders after pulling back Grigg and Strevens had his own views on the red card decision.

“I think it’s harsh,” he added. 

“I’m not denying there’s a pull back but where Will Grigg is taking it, he’s not going straight towards goal, he’s got to turn back on himself to try and get any type of moment to shoot.

“It’s easy for me to say but at that moment you want a bit of composure from the ref, not to get caught up in the atmosphere.

“I think if we’re breaking away there, I’m not sure. But I can see why the ref has given it because it’s a big moment.”

Despite defeat, which ended a three-match winning run, Strevens felt there were plenty of positives to take from the performance of his side.

But ultimately he believed big moments and decisions did not go in their favour.

“Long parts of the game probably until the sending off we was right in the match, had scored the goal and had big moments to get the second,” he said.

“Frustrated because the sending-off leading into the free-kick straight away, trying to get organised, and then the late one with the penalty.

“I take blame for the third one, because we’re 2-1 down, I threw a few more bodies up front, changed the formation and it allowed someone to get a shot from the edge of our box.

“That’s probably on me. I’d rather have tried to get it back to 2-2 than worry about losing 3-1. The third one was on me not the boys.

“For long parts, how we thought it would go, the game plan we had, counter-attacking moments, which we didn’t make the most of. Big decisions and moments change matches.”