Bradford City 0 Dagenham & Redbridge 1: Jackson praises fans for sticking behind City’s young side in defeat

Two seasons ago, the Barbados striker came off the bench to inspire Dagenham to a 3-3 draw, scoring once and playing his part in forcing two own goals.

Eighteen months later, his 27th-minute winner condemned the new-look Bradford side to their third defeat in four matches.

The winning goal came after the defence failed to clear Gavin Tomlin’s corner. Sam Williams had a shot blocked and when the ball came out to Nurse, he drilled home the goal to give Dagenham their third win in four games following relegation.

City manager Peter Jackson said: “We never seem to be able to go in front and build on it and we gave away a sloppy goal, but the players gave their all and that’s all you can ask. We should never have been beaten.

“If that early chance from Jack Compton had gone in, it would have been a completely different game. There is a fine dividing line between success and failure, but the crowd were right behind us. They are a credit to the club because they believe in this young team.”

Compton’s chance came in the third minute when the former Falkirk winger hooked a loose ball against the bar.

After that, Dagenham’s lively attack caused a host of problems for the home defence and Tomlin fired wide with the goal at his mercy in the 19th minute after on-loan Martin Hansen had failed to hold Medy Elito’s cross before Nurse scored the winner.

Bradford dominated the second half but the nearest they came to scoring was in the 87th minute when Lewington made a super diving save to deny Ross Hannah.

Hansen made two fine saves to keep out shots from Williams and substitute Brian Woodall.

Bradford City: Hansen, Moore, Branston, Oliver, Threlfall, Bryan (Stewart 67), Jones (Mitchell 78), Flynn, Compton, Hanson (Rodney 62), Hannah. Unused substitutes: Jansson, Burns.

Dagenham & Redbridge: Lewington, Doe. Arber, McCory, Nurse (Scannell 72), Lee, Howell, Elito, Tomlin (Woodall 81), Lee, Ogogo. Unused substitutes: Shea, Rose, Ilesanmi.

Referee: D Webb (Lancashire).

Man of the match: Liam Moore.