Pearce off as Magpies are held

Last updated : 22 December 2007 By Footymad Previewer
Ten-man Notts County held on for a battling draw against Dagenham &
Butcher...Beautiful opener
Redbridge at Victoria Road.

The visitors took an early lead, but gave away a penalty straight after half-time and had Krystian Pearce sent off in the 66th minute, forcing them to hold on in the closing stages.

The Magpies stunned the Daggers in the second minute when striker Lawrie Dudfield shuddered the post with a powerful strike from the edge of the box.

Pacy winger Myles Weston upped the pressure when he skinned full-back Marlon Patterson in the fourth minute, before firing in a vicious strike from 20 yards which keeper Tony Roberts turned round the post.

The home side were rocking and the visitors took full advantage in the fifth minute when
Southam...Levelled from the spot
midfielder Richard Butcher saw his thunderous 25-yard strike deflect past Roberts to give County the lead.

Striker Jason Lee should have doubled the lead in the 19th minute when he shot into the sidenetting after pouncing on a loose ball in the Daggers box.

Roberts saved his side again in the 22nd minute when he blocked a Dudfield strike from point-blank range.

The home side were thrown a lifeline in the 48th minute when Jon Nurse was brought down by Kevin Pilkington in the box, with Glen Southam stepping up to fire home the penalty.

The former Manchester United keeper made amends minutes later when he blocked a close-range Paul Benson strike to keep the
Pearce...Early bath
scores level.

County went down to ten men in the 66th minute when Pearce was sent off for a foul on Nurse.

Dagenham then upped the pressure in search of a winner, but failed to find a way through.

County almost caught Dagenham with a sucker punch in stoppage time when Weston sliced his shot straight at Roberts from close range with the goal at his mercy.