A late goal from substitute Neil MacKenzie handed Notts County their first win of the season this afternoon against Dagenham & Redbridge, with the midfielder slamming home the only goal of the game six minutes from time.

The first period provided little in terms of chances, with sides having spells of pressure but unable to make the most of their opportunities.

After the break, and after being booed at the interval, Notts were out of the traps quickly after the break and Weir-Daley twice went close. Firstly he shot straight at Roberts on the volley, then he hit the post from a tight angle after advancing into the box.

Just when it seemed once again the luck was out for Notts, sub Neil MacKenzie popped up to slam a loose ball into the back of the net with six minutes to go to send the Meadow Lane faithful into raptures with Notts taking the lead in a game for the first time this season.

Notts started the afternoon with two changes to the side which faced MK Dons last Friday, with Austin McCann and the injured Andy Parkinson missing out, with Matthew Somner and Spencer Weir-Daley coming in as the Magpies reverted back to the 4-3-3 formation adopted in the early games of the season.

The Daggers kicked things off, but there was nothing in terms of real pressure from both sides in the early stages of a scrappy but opener encounter.

A long-range Saunders effort was all the visitors could provide in the opening fifteen minutes, with Dudfield had Notts' first opportunity on fifteen minutes but from inside the box he curled a left-foot effort first time way over the bar.

Notts were trying to make things happen through Butcher mainly in the middle of the park, with the top scorer on the ball an awful lot in the early stages and quickly looking to pick passes out and thread Dudfield and Weir-Daley through from wide areas and into the box.

The best move of the opening twenty minutes involved Notts, with some neat passing football involving Smith, Weir-Daley and Canoville eventually led to Somner shooting with his left-foot from twenty-five yards, but he was off target. Notts were playing some tidy stuff in the opening stages, but as Steve Thompson had stated many times there was just that final ball and killer touch lacking.

Jason Lee started a move on twenty-one minute that almost opened the scoring by laying the ball out wide to Paul Mayo and eventually meeting the left-back's deep cross with a towering header from twelve yards, but Roberts got down to turn the ball away for a corner.

By the midway point Notts were starting to take a little bit more control and applying the pressure and enjoying more of the ball, just with little to show for it and could have been caught out on the half-hour when Dagenham got away down the left to provide a ball into the box which caused a real scramble which Somner attempted to clear and eventually led to Pilkington diving on the ball to save Notts' blushes.

The first period really didn't provide many chances to write home about, with Notts lacking just that little killer touch.

Dagenham ended the half well by applying their best spell of pressure, with at every opportunity winning throw-ins and hurling them into the box. On almost every occasion Notts headed the ball clear and dealt with the balls into the box, snuffing out the threat.

At the half-time whistle the Magpies were booed off, clearly with a point to prove in the second-half as the players walked down the tunnel.

Half-Time: Notts County 0-0 Dagenham & Redbridge

So, after being booed off and with the fans unhappy what was Notts' reaction? Well, instantly Pilkington rolled the ball out to Canoville who picked out Weir-Daley with a smart ball over the top, and with room to shoot from outside the box the striker fired a volley at goal which was saved by Roberts.

Straight away, Pilkington got the ball again. Straight to Canoville who again found Weir-Daley scampering away down the right, and this time he advanced into the box and fired a low effort which looked to be sneaking in the near post, but the shot rebounded off the post and away to safety.

The reaction from the players was there for all to see, and the crowd were lifted. Notts just didn't make the most of the pressure and Dagenham were able to come out of their shells and force their way back into the game by the midway point of the half.

Notts were looking lively going forward with Weir-Daley at the heart of the best moves, with his pace the main asset but at times the visitors were snuffing him out.

MacKenzie was introduced in place of Butcher with around fifteen minutes to go to try and bring a fresh approach to the game after a quiet and perhaps frustrating spell after such a good opening to the half. A goal was required really, because Notts needed it to settle down.

Gary Silk was introduced for the final ten minutes in place of Jay Smith in the three-man midfield.

Without a goal, Notts were looking a little nervous. A goal was all that was required to settle Notts down, simple as that and the frustration on the faces of the players was clear to see. They want a result, the fans want a result and everyone wants a result - but right now the luck just wasn't going Notts' way.

That was until six minutes from time when a ball did fall for Notts. A ball into the box bounced around and off a Dagenham player into the path of Neil MacKenzie, who simply didn't need a second invitation to smash the ball low and hard beyond Roberts and into the back of the net.

He set off in celebration towards the Jimmy Sirrel Stand, and the relief was there for all to see and it was like a weight had been lifted off the shoulders of many at Meadow Lane.

Now the ball is officially rolling at Meadow Lane, we've got that first win under our belts and who knows what that will do for confidence - but what a major boost MacKenzie's goal was. It may not have been pretty and at times Notts had to scrap and battle for the win, but no matter how you do it there's nothing like that winning feeling. 

Full Time: Notts County 1-0 Dagenham & Redbridge

Notts County: Pilkington, Canoville, Tann, Hunt, Mayo, Somner, Smith (Silk 78), Butcher (MacKenzie 73), Weir-Daley, Lee (C), Dudfield (Sam 87).
Subs Not Used: Sandercombe, McCann.
Booked: Canoville, Lee.
Sent Off: None.
Goals: MacKenzie (83).

Dagenham & Redbridge: Roberts, Foster, Uddin (C), Smith, Griffiths, Saunders, Rainford, Southam, Sloma, Strevens (Huke 79), Moore.
Subs Not Used: Rochester, Patterson, Thompson, Green.
Booked: Smith, Saunders.
Sent Off: None.
Goals: None.

Match Referee: Mr N Swarbrick

Attendance: 3,926 (229 Dagenham & Redbridge Fans)

nottscountyfc.co.uk Man of the Match: Matt Somner