DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE 0, ALDERSHOT TN 2

ALDERSHOT Town demonstrated their title credentials in front of a live television audience with a clinical performance which underlined the value of picking up points even when not playing at your best.

Goals four minutes into each half from Jim Kellermann and Scott Rendell settled the outcome against a depleted Dagenham & Redbridge at Victoria Road on Saturday and set the scene nicely for the big home match against Macclesfield this weekend.

Leaders Wrexham could only draw 1-1 with FC Halifax and Macclesfield moved to the top of the National League after coming from behind to beat bottom side Guiseley 2-1.

Although John Still’s Dagenham exerted ample pressure, Aldershot goalkeeper Lewis Ward was rather under-employed and it was that defensive strength that was praised by Gary Waddock.

“We were really pleased to get a clean sheet here,” said the manager. “We started well and, despite a difficult pitch, went on to manage the game quite well. This is a valuable three points.”

Rendell was again superb in playing as a lone striker and Waddock was quick to highlight “the experience, know-how and quality” he brought to the team. But the strength in depth of the squad is now as impressive as its individual ability. “The bench is strong and the team will change in the coming weeks – it’s about the squad and everybody will play their part,” Waddock added.

In just the fourth minute, Rendell was bundled over and took a quick free-kick himself, finding Will Evans on halfway as he then sprinted towards the penalty area. Evans’ diagonal pass found the striker leaping highest and when his downward header bounced on the edge of the box, Kellermann pounced to shoot into the bottom corner of the net.

Dagenham responded well and Michael Cheek’s header was disallowed for the most marginal of offside decisions. Luke Howell sliced a shot wastefully wide, while the lively Fejiri Okenabirhie fizzed a 20-yard drive inches over the crossbar.

In between, Mark Cousins saved a serving shot from Shots newcomer Josh McQuoid, but this was a victory built on a solid defensive platform rather than attacking flair.

Kellermann snatched at a good chance just after the break, but the decisive second goal followed on 49 minutes gone. Okenabirhie yielded possession inside the centre circle and, via swift passes from Evans and Manny Oyeleke, McQuoid found Adam McDonnell in space on the left.

McDonnell’s low, driven cross skidded through the six-yard box and Rendell, ghosting in behind Jake Howells, tapped in from barely a yard out.

Only an acrobatic goal-line clearance by Craig Robson kept out Rendell’s looping header, but in the closing stages George Fowler also had to make a goal-line clearance as Okenabirhie’s close-range chip evaded Ward.

Okenabirhie then flashed a shot past the post, but for all of their endeavour, Dagenham were a side short on ideas long before the end.

Fabien Robert made a late cameo appearance on his return from an 11-week injury lay-off to add a positive footnote to a thoroughly satisfying day’s work, but Aldershot know that they will face tougher challenges in the next week.

The results against Macclesfield and then Wrexham away seven days later will go a long way to defining their credibility as automatic promotion candidates. In between, on Tuesday, Aldershot host eighth-placed Bromley.

The Silkmen will arrive on Saturday just one point above second-placed Aldershot. Sutton United missed the chance to join the Shots on 58 points when they drew 1-1 at Barrow on Tuesday.

Dagenham: Cousins; Nunn (Bloomfield 77), Robson, Pennell, Howells; Robinson, Boucaud, Howell, Sparkes (Whitely 64); Cheek (Kandi 63), Okenabirhie. Subs (not used): Moore, N’Gala. Booked: Robinson

Aldershot: Ward; Alexander, Evans, Fowler, Kinsella; Oyeleke (Gallagher 82), McDonnell; Rowe, Kellermann (Robert 63), McQuoid; Rendell (Kabamba 70). Subs (not used): Cole, McClure. Booked: McDonnell.

Attendance: 1,509 (427 away).

• Aldershot’s home game against Gateshead has been re-arranged for Tuesday, March 6. Originally scheduled for February 3, the fixture was postponed due to Gateshead’s involvement in the FA Trophy.