Ten-men Notts County earned themselves a hard-earned point at Dagenham & Redbridge this afternoon, with the home side coming from behind to ensure neither side were able to claim an early Christmas present in the form of three points.

A dominant first-half display saw Notts go ahead after six minutes through Richard Butcher, and Notts could have added to their tally in an impressive first-period with Lawrie Dudfield twice denied by Tony Roberts in the Daggers goal and Myles Weston also saw a good effort saved by the experienced goalkeeper.

However, the home side drew level five minutes into the second period through Glen Southam from the penalty spot after Kevin Pilkington fouled Jon Nurse in the box, and midway through the second period Notts were reduced to ten men as Krystian Pearce was sent off for a second-bookable offence.

But, Notts battled away and came away with hard-earned point in an open second period.

Ian McParland made three changes to his side from the 2-1 victory over Shrewsbury two weeks ago, with Gary Silk, Matt Somner and Spencer Weir-Daley the men dropping out of the side which meant recalls for Lee Canoville, Neil MacKenzie and Myles Weston who was handed a start on the right-wing while Dudfield and Lee led the line up front.

On Notts' first-ever visit to Dagenham the Magpies were almost handed the perfect start by Lawrie Dudfield, back in his familiar role of up front after a two-game spell on the right wing. Strike partner Lee hooked a smart ball over the Dagenham defence to send Dudfield racing towards goal inside the box, but from a tight angle his right-foot shot was pushed away by Roberts. The ball did seem to be creeping into the top corner as Dudfield sought his fourth goal of the campaign.

But, that didn't stop Notts piling on the early pressure and Roberts was in fine form a few minutes later to deny Weston from the edge of the box. The winger cut inside from the right and used his pace to beat his man and lash a swerving effort which looked destined for the far corner, but diving to his right the goalkeeper got a good hand to the ball and turned the effort away.

But, after not clearing their lines sufficiently from that Weston shot, Notts took the lead on six minutes. The ball fell to the feet of leading scorer Richard Butcher on the edge of the box, and he used his right boot to curl an excellent effort beyond the reach of Roberts who stood motionless as the ball flew past him and into the back of the net to hand Notts a deserved lead.

It was nothing more than Notts deserved as the Magpies began the game brightly. Use of the ball was good, and Notts were functioning well as a unit and a team. Weston cut inside from the right again to lash in a left-foot effort, but this time his effort was blocked and Lee lashed the follow-up wide although even if he had scored the goal would have been ruled out for offside.

Roberts was on hand to deny Dudfield from close range as the Magpies pushed to extend their lead, but he was off his line quickly to deny the Notts frontman after he displayed some neat footwork in the box to beat his man and just after the half-hour Austin McCann drove a low effort just wide from almost the same position that Butcher had given Notts the lead from.

The Daggers had short spells of pressure scattered over the half, but they were unable to really test the Magpies backline or Kevin Pilkington in the Notts goal. When called upon the defence were holding firm, clearing their lines well and to a man doing their jobs.

Despite enjoying the better of the half, Notts were unable to extend their lead before the break and went in a goal ahead - and deservedly in the lead.

Half-Time: Dagenham & Redbridge 0-1 Notts County

The home side had clearly had a half-time roasting from Manager John Still, and came out for the second period a transformed side. They were level five minutes into the second period from the penalty spot after Pilkington brought Nurse down in the area. Glen Southam slotted home from the penalty spot, which brought the home side out of their shells and they put the pressure on following the goal.

Krystian Pearce and Lawrie Dudfield had to be on hand to make clearances inside the six-yard box to ensure Notts didn't fall behind as the home side asked questions of Notts for the first time in the game.

It was a testing period of the game for Notts, against a side who were clearly lifted by scoring. From wide the Daggers were running at the Magpies and feeding balls into the box and putting the team under serious pressure.

After riding the initial heavy storm, Notts were handed a blow twenty-five minutes from time with Krystian Pearce receiving his marching orders for a second-bookable offence, meaning Ian McParland has to tactically change things and personnel around to deal with the final twenty-five-or-so minutes. Gary Silk quickly replaced Neil MacKenzie to add a further defensive option to the side, with Jason Lee leading the line on his own following Pearce's dismissal.

It was a real test for the Magpies, taking on a side with a man advantage for twenty-five minutes who were also in confident mood, and you got the feeling around the ground that the home side fancied their chances.

Notts pushed forwards in the latter stages in search of a winner themselves and saw Gary Silk have a low shot cleared from inside the six-yard box by a Daggers defender. Despite being down to ten, Notts weren't giving up on their hopes of taking all three points.

Of course Notts will be frustrated that the Daggers came back into the game in the second period and earned themselves a share of the spoils, but there were massive positives for Notts to draw from the game including the way they battled and scrapped for the point. The spirit in the camp has been proved once again, and to play the final twenty-five minutes with ten men and come away with a hard-earned point is a credit to the squad the way they stuck to their tasks.

Full Time: Dagenham & Redbridge 1-1 Notts County

Dagenham & Redbridge: Roberts, Okuonghae, Sloma (Green 69), Boardman, Huke, Saunders (Strevens 76), Southam, Nurse, Benson, Uddin (C), Patterson.
Subs Not Used: Thompson, Taylor, Foster.
Booked: Boardman.
Sent Off: None.
Goals: Southam (50 - Pen).

Notts County: Pilkington, Canoville, Tann (C), Pearce, Hunt, Weston, Butcher, MacKenzie (Silk 70), McCann, Lee, Dudfield (Parkinson 90).
Subs Not Used: Sandercombe, Weir-Daley, Sam.
Booked: Pearce.
Sent Off: Pearce.
Goals: Butcher (6).

Match Referee: Mr D McDermid

Attendance: 1,649 (334 Notts County Fans)

nottscountyfc.co.uk Man of the Match: Richard Butcher