THE Blues departed the FA Cup to Dagenham & Redbridge, but this tie was level and well in the balance with 15 minutes to go.

Harley Curtis had levelled with a close range volley on 65 minutes for Leiston after an early goal in the first period from Josh Umerah had put the away side ahead.

The Blues were having a good spell and putting the National League side under pressure. However, a flurry of goals late on from Umerah (the striker's second of the game), Josh Rees, Ryan Hill and sub Shiloh Remy put the ‘Daggers’ into the First Round Proper.

“We played well for 75 minutes”, Blues midfielder Fraser Alexander said after the game. “The game was even for a long time and we felt confident of a result when we levelled halfway through the second half, but it wasn’t too be”

Leiston captain Seb Dunbar was still injured, while Albie Armin came in at left back. Wyatt Hill was still suspended, serving his third and final game after being sent off at Bedford Town.

With the first chance of the game, a goal came. Dagenham moved the ball around in midfield and worked the ball to Josh Rees on the right. The midfielder then cross led into the box and Umerah slotted home past Billy Johnson to give the Essex side the lead.

In the 12th minute, Eddie Jackson did well to make a good challenge as Dagenham came forward down the Blues left before Romeney Crichlow shot straight at Johnson.

The Blues has their first effort two minutes later when Ismael Fatadjo’s shot was deflected wide of captain and goalkeeper Elliot Justham’s left hand post. The Blues came forward a few seconds later after the initial corner was cleared and Justham did well to collect Loza’s cross.

On 20 minutes, Loza’s cross from the Blues left this time was put into George Quantrell but the Blues player’s effort went just off target.

Leiston were coming into the game but also restricting Dagenham to chances. Eddie Jackson cleared a cross on 34 minutes and the got up to block a shot from the visiting side.

Late in the half, the Blues won a corner but Dagenham cleared the danger as referee Sam Mulhall blew his whistle for half time.

In the first sixty seconds of the second half, Umerah shot straight at keeper Johnson while on 56 minutes, away pressure saw Tom Eastman have a chance on the Blues goal but the defender shot wide of Johnson’s right hand post when well placed.

This seemed to spur Leiston on and although Ryan Hill shot over in the 64th minute, the Blues started to spray the ball about better.

Harley Curtis replaced Ismael Fatadjo and in the 65th minute, the striker volleyed home from six yards after George Quantrell flicked on Fraser Alexander’s corner.

Just after the restart, Alexander shot just wide of Justham’s right-hand post. Curtis nearly got through on goal in the 70th minute as Leiston pressed for a winner, but Eastman made a good tackle and Dagenham re-took the lead on 76 minutes when Umerah headed home a corner from close range.

Leiston quickly won a corner, but the ball went out of play.

Josh Rees got the all-important third goal on 81 minutes, firing into Johnson’s left hand corner before Hill netted from close range on 91 minutes and sub Remy scored on 94 minutes to put the National League outfit into Monday’s First Round draw.

FT: - Blues 1-5 Dagenham & Redbridge.

Leiston now start a run of four games away in all competitions, starting with a trip to Hitchin Town on Tuesday night.

Line-ups: -
Blues: - Johnson, Yun (sub Batho 89 mins), Armin (sub Saunders 81 mins), Ryan Jarvis (sub Manly 84 mins), Clements, Eddie Jackson, Fatadjo (sub Curtis 65 mins), Alexander, Fowkes (sub Rossi Jarvis 87 mins), Quantrell, Loza. Subs not used: - Mitchell Jackson, Mehew (GK).
Dagenham & Redbridge: - Justham, Vincent (sub Stephenson 75 mins), Eastman, Rees, Umerah (sub Remy 90+2 mins), Hill, N’Guessen, Crichlow (sub Woodhouse 90+2 mins), Rutherford, Morais (sub Vigrass 90+2 mins), Kalambayi.

Match Sponsors, Allglass Anglia Ltd Man Of The Match: - Fraser Alexander.
Attendance: - 654.