Dagenham & Redbridge have been relegated from Sky Bet League 2 following a 3-2 defeat at Leyton Orient.
The Daggers needed a win to keep their faint hopes of survival alive, but found themselves 2-0 down at the break after two Jay Simpson goals put the hosts in front.John Still’s men did go down fighting, however, after strikes from Jamie Cureton and Clevid Dikamona briefly brought them back to 2-2. But Armand Gnanduillet netted the winner for Orient to seal their fate five minutes after their equaliser.
The result brings to an end the club’s nine-year stay in The Football League, after just six wins all season sent them down to the Conference with four games remaining.
“Daggers are going to get beat but it’s responding to defeats that we haven’t been able to do this year," Still told Dagenham's official website. "When you put the shirt on to play for this club I don’t care if you have a bad game you have to work hard on all the things that can make the team better. That hasn’t been here this season, it hasn’t.
“This club has made its way forward with ambitious young hungry players and unfortunately I don’t think we have enough at the moment. When I came in my mind was always focused on rebuilding regardless of the situation of the club. It was always in my mind, what we do to find a Danny Green or Dwight Gayle etc. When they come in they might not be the finished article straight away but we have to start that process at the club.
“The support was terrific from our fans today. I know they will look back on the season with disappointment but I’m the same with extreme disappointment, but this club is bigger, better and stronger than one season. Everyone is part of a team and all the components need to work together to find the real Dagenham and that is what we will do.”