League Two playoff semi-final second leg – Morecambe 2 Dagenham & Redbridge 1
Sometimes football fails to deliver the fairytale ending.
Everyone knew that the 6-0 deficit was an impossible task for Morecambe to claw back, but the sheer thought of the comeback materialising sent pulses racing.
Unfortunately for the miracle-seekers, Dagenham performed in a professional manner, and cemented their place in the final.
An 81st-minute volley from midfielder Mark Duffy put the hosts ahead but the Daggers drew level four minutes later through Paul Benson, his third goal in the two games. David Artell's injury-time header ensured Morecambe said goodbye to their Christie Park home on a positive note, but this tie belonged to the impressive Daggers.
Five years ago, the East London side was a run-of-the-mill Conference side, who were happy with mid-table finishes. Now, the club whose fans sang the players off to the tune of ‘not bad for a pub team’, are just one game away from hitting the heights of League One football.
Dagenham boss John Still told Skysports: "To think we could be playing Charlton and Sheffield Wednesday next season is unbelievable.
"I'm going use that as a spur for the players and just hope we can get over this next hurdle.
"We're going to go to Wembley and put in a Dagenham performance - full of strength, power and adventure," said Still.
"We're going to give it everything we've got and we've got nothing to lose."
Morecambe’s mission impossible failed to fire last night, but the Daggers are only one game away from completing a mission of their own which seemed just as impossible five years ago.
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