The Shots fell to defeat in Dagenham despite a strong first-hjalf showing as goals from Angelo Balanta and Junior Morias gave the hosts a two goal lead and subsequent victory as Tyler Frost’s late goal proved too little too late for Aldershot to get back into the game.
Aldershot made two changes to the side that narrowly lost to Wrexham on Saturday as Tyler Frost and Karoy Anderson came in for Corey Jordan and Michael Klass.
The opening exchanges were played much in the air but Aldershot were the first to control proceedings with Justin Amaluzor looking lively. Pressing Dagenham’s backline he won the ball and driving towards goal, saw his effort blocked behind for a corner in the game’s first half-chance.
But, in the reverse fixture, Aldershot looked dangerous but were hit on the counter twice in a 2-0 defeat and it looked like things would repeat themselves at The Chigwell Construction Stadium as The Daggers took the lead in the 14th minute.
George Saunders played a ball over the top of the Shots defence and Angelo Balanta raced onto it and cooly dinked the ball over Luca Ashby-Hammond.
Ryan Glover came closest to levelling the scores around 10 minutes later when he met a deep Tyler Frost cross and his header forced Elliot Justham into a good save low to his right.
The Shots were pushing to get back into the game and came very close with a couple of off-target efforts as Karoy Anderson and Jake Hutchinson launched powerful efforts just over and wide from outside the box.
Justin Amaluzor also came close with a long-range effort that was ultimately off-target but, despite Aldershot entering the break a goal down, they were certainly the more dominant side.
HALF-TIME
Yet, just as they did at The EBB in January, Dagenham found themselves two up having been second best. Josh Hare delivered a deep cross to the far post and it was met by Junior Morias at the far-post who had an easy finish.
Dagenham came inches away from a third as a corner from their right-wing was flicked on and just evaded two on-rushing attackers at the far-post as it brushed past it and wide.
The Shots were frustrated for much of the second-half and barely saw a sight of goal. As such, there first chance of the second-half was came from 35 yards as Olly Pendlebury tried his luck to no avail.
Amaluzor came closer – from closer – not long after, but again failed to find the target when the ball found his feet after being cleared.
Junior Morias sprung the Shots defensive line and found hiimself through on goal but rather than shoot, decided to play with Ashby-Hammond and Mnoga but in trying to chip it over them both, fluffed it and wasted a golden opportunity to put the game to bed.
The Shots got a goal back and had some late hope as Mnoga rushed forward and found Tyler Frost who turned and found the bottom corner with a nice finish but it was too little too late as the final whistle blew less than a minute later.
Shots lineup: 1. Luca Ashby-Hammond, 3. Olle Harfield, 4. Joe Partington (c) (29. Morgan Roberts 69′), 5. Tyler Cordner, 7. Justin Amaluzor, 8. Tyler Frost, 15. Karoy Anderson (20. Michael Klass 54′), 17. Jake Hutchinson (27. Tommy Willard 69′), 19. Oliver Pendlebury, 22. Haji Mnoga, 23. Ryan Glover. Subs not used: 16. Corey Jordan, 18. Henry Ochieng.
