Dagenham & Redbridge 1-1 Forest Green Rovers

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Jordan Maguire-DrewImage source, Rex Features
Image caption,

Jordan Maguire-Drew has scored 15 goals in 45 games for Dagenham this season

Dagenham and Forest Green could not be separated as they played out a draw in the first leg of their National League play-off semi-final at Victoria Road.

Corey Whitely and Fejiri Okenabirhie's pace were constant threats in a dominant opening period for the Daggers but it was the visitors who took the lead under controversial circumstances just before the 30-minute mark.

Omar Bugiel worked his way into the Dagenham box with some wonderful trickery before being felled by the challenge of Mark Cousins - the German forward drawing contact with the on-rushing goalkeeper - to earn his side a penalty, which captain Liam Noble drilled into the bottom corner to put Rovers ahead.

But the hosts went into the break level as Jordan Maguire-Drew pounced onto a flicked header from Paul Benson to fire in an equaliser in first half stoppage-time for his 15th league goal of the season.

Okenabirhie spurned a decent opportunity after the restart but clear-cut chances were at a premium with both sides happy to remain all-square ahead of the second leg.

Match report supplied by the Press Association.

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