Played in Dagenham

Exeter depart after a 1-1 away draw

Exeter City took the lead within just five minutes in this League One encounterwith foot-of-the table Dagenham & Redbridge on Tuesday evening, only to find themselves day dreaming towards a draw. Unmarked Grecians' striker Richard Logan headed comfortably past Daggers 'keeper Tony Roberts - who enjoyed a good bit of banter with the south-west fans throughout the game. (The Welsh sticksman, who faced Exeter on several occasions during the two sides' Conference sojourn, combines his playing career with coaching for QPR and the Arsenal youth set-up.)

For part of the first half it looked as if City would extend their lead, but they didn't manage to create anything in the area, and in a game which was fast-paced and tough, with neither side allowing the other much space, the pendulum gradually swung back to home side. Finally and almost inevitably, as the second half progressed and Dagenham claimed more and more of the ball with their five-man midfield, a Danny Green corner to the Exeter near post was met by French midfielder Romain Vincelot, who headed in from six yards.

In the end it was a point, but a missed opportunity for the visitors. Still, I had a good time, using my brief stay in London to say hello some old Devon friends, including Pete Martin and Di Lee, both Grecians' stalwarts. As for Dagenham, they came off the bottom of the table - until Leyton Orient's home win over Brentford tonight. The best chant of the evening?  Exeter's jaunty taunt, "Have you ever see a beach?" In football quality terms this was better fare than lower league Scottish football. But my heart is happily with Dumbarton.
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