Dagenham & Redbridge 0 Oxford United 1

Alfie Potter’s tenth goal of the season helped Oxford United to return to winning ways on a damp afternoon in East London.

There was a healthy youth presence in the United squad with Max Crocombe picked in goal and youth team players Sam Long, Callum O’Dowda and James Roberts taking places on the bench. Deane Smalley, Luke O’Brien and Josh Parker also returned to the starting eleven after United’s defeat against Wycombe.

Crocombe received a warm welcome from the United fans in the magnificent stand behind his goal and the New Zealander remained largely untested in a tepid first half. Jake Reed twice fired wide when well placed, while Liam Davis’ free-kick was comfortably held by Daggers goalkeeper Jordan Seabright.

The deadlock was broken five minutes before the break as Smalley worked space on the left before crossing into the area. The Dagenham defence failed to clear the ball and paid the price as Potter swivelled to rifle home from eight yards.

United resisted a spell of Dagenham pressure in the opening stages of the second half and really should have doubled their advantage after 65 minutes. Potter worked space in the box after Scott Davies’ pass and delivered the perfect ball across the face of the goal. Sean Rigg, who had been on the field a matter of seconds, inexplicably miscued from two yards out.

With Jake Wright in familiarly impressive form at the back a Dagenham comeback never seemed on the cards, although Mo Sharif fired over when well placed in the Oxford box late on.

The visitors saw the game out with ease and the United faithful, who had remained supportive throughout, were rewarded with a first win in six.