Rangers overcame a resilient Dagenham & Redbridge side in a frustrating encounter at Loftus Road. Rangers seemed to be able to create chances at will against a Daggers side that has been struggling this season, it is a shame that the will wasn't particularly evident for much of the night.

As everybody expected Olly took the opportunity to rest players and give others some match practice against opposition that are currently languishing in the lower reaches of the Conference. Culkin started in goal behind a back four of Barton, Carlisle, Forbes and Padula. Sabin filled the right wing slot with Palmer and Bean inside him and McLeod on the left. Pacquette and Ainsworth lined up in attack.

The Daggers had a host of ex-Rangers players on show. Tony Roberts was in goal and terrifying wide men Tony Scully and Paul Bruce also started. Rangers started the game brightly but were forced into a change after barely five minutes. Warren Barton picked up a knock and Edghill replaced him. Olly had wanted to rest Edgy after playing so many games so quickly after his recent injury and I doubt he will have been too enamoured at having to use him so soon, if at all.

Eric Sabin had started the game well and Dagenham had little answer to his pace. One early run carried him past four Daggers before he was crudely felled outside the box. Edghill could only hit the wall with his freekick. Rangers were pressing hard and Roberts tipped a McLeod cross over the bar as well as watching a freekick from the same player sail harmlessly to safety. Gino was next to try his luck and this time Roberts produced a terrific save from the Argentinean's freekick to keep the scores level.

From this corner though Rangers took the lead. After referee Joe Ross had got the side for the corner wrong Gino swung the ball in toward the near post. It was a poor kick and the ball was touched on by a Dagenham defender and then another, before creeping over the line at the back stick. The referee couldn't tell whether the ball had crossed the line but his lino was sure and the goal was awarded. I am not quite sure how Gino thought it was his and I wouldn't be surprised if it goes down as an o.g. in the record books.

Lightening quick Leon Braithwaite should have got on the end of a Scully cross moments before the break as Dagenham looked to grab a leveller before the break. It was to no avail however and Roberts was once again sharp to deny Pacquette a second as he tipped his shot away. This had been Pacquette's first real involvement in the game as he put on yet another sulky disinterested showing that will hardly have Holloway making him the first name, if any name at all, on the team sheet.

Eric Sabin had a great chance to double the lead shortly after the restart but lost his footing after jinking inside his man beautifully. Players were slipping over all night as the soaking the pitch has taken in the last few days began to take its toll. All the while the Daggers continued to press though and Scully this time had a crack, the ball finding the arms of the nervous Culkin.

As Rangers looked to press for the second gaps were beginning to appear and yet another slip, this time from Carlisle, saw Braithwaite break clear. Once again Scully was the man to strike the ball, this time Culkin managed to get two strong hands to it and send it away to safety.

Then finally the second goal came and in truth it was the one moment of quality in the entire ninety minutes. Rangers broke up a Dagenham attack the ball found Ainsworth just over halfway. He held the ball well before slipping it into the path of McLeod who galloped toward Roberts. He bided his time before slotting a lovely left footed finish into the corner to kill the tie off. Or so you would have thought!

With three minutes left on the clock Dagenham finally broke through and this time Scully managed to beat Culkin. By this time referee Ross has abandoned the premise of freekicks and as yet another poor challenge went unpunished the hunch-backed mark Bentley beat Gino in the box and crossed to Scully to ram home from close range.

This set up a nervous final period but finally the referee blew and we could all look forward to yet another thrilling LDV tie! If the next one manages to live up to the entertainment and excitement of this game then I think that anybody in attendance will be in for a rare old treat. No, really!  

There were very few positives to draw from this game. Culkin looked nervy all night but did produce some important saves near the end to keep the Daggers at bay. In midfield Sabin looked bright to start off with but as in the last game against Kidderminster, seemed to fade as the game wore on. McLeod looked lively for long period and took his goal very well and Marcus Bean looked solid before Gallen replaced him. Man of the match for me though was Forbes. He made a series of excellent challenges and kept the dangerous Bruce under wraps all night.

On a slightly more sour note I only feel it fair to draw the performances of Steve Palmer and Richard Pacquette to peoples attentions. The skipper was absolute rubbish tonight and barely got within two feet of a Dagenham player all night. He has an uncanny ability of being able to drop his performance to match the level of the opposition but I am not sure it would have got much worse than this. If he spent more time looking at his teammates and less time buggering about with his sleeves and his armband then he may become slightly more productive. Only slightly mind.

Pacquette looked as though he couldn't be bothered and gave a repeat performance of his awful display against Manchester City a week ago. I am not sure what the problem is, maybe he has a knock, maybe he cant get himself motivated, maybe he has a move lined up already and is merely going through the motions, although that could also be debated. A young player like Richard should want to grab any chance he gets and Dennis Oli must have been pig sick not to get a chance ahead of a player that has the talent to do well but seemingly, not the inclination.

Grimsby in the FA Cup now awaits and there will be changes to the team. This will be another game where it is time for the lads to battle for all they are worth as no doubt the fishy folk will be looking for revenge after our last minute league winner a couple of weeks ago.

simon@qprnet.com