Daryl disappointed by Dagenham & Redbridge display in Woking loss

Rohan Ince netted twice in the space of 11 minutes to put the in-form Cardinals in control at Victoria Road.

And although Josh Walker hit back midway through the second half with his 10th goal of the season, Daggers could not get themselves back on level terms.

“We were particularly poor in the first half. It took us too long to get going in the game,” McMahon told the club website.

“We didn’t get going until the second half, when we changed the shape to try and match them up, and put Westy wide and George [Saunders] wide late in the game.

“The first half I thought we were well off the pace, playing against one of the best teams in the division. They’re a good side, streetwise, very experienced players, and I thought the first half that really showed compared to us.

“We lacked intensity, they played through us, we didn’t get our own game going, we didn’t play how we play, just lacked intensity in and out of possession.

“It’s disappointing. We’ve been five wins out of six in the division, in good form, and to turn in that first-half performance was a surprise to all of us, a disappointment.

“But we know it happens and we have to look at where we are, the overall picture of where we are and move forward.”

Ince opened the scoring from a corner on 26 minutes, then doubled his side’s advantage with a fine strike from outside the box eight minutes before the break.

McMahon made a double substitution during the interval, sending on Paul McCallum and Harry Phipps, and saw Walker poke home from Myles Weston’s cross.

But it proved only a consolation as they were left two points off the play-off spots.

“We changed to a 4-4-2 and just felt we needed to get Macca on the pitch,” added McMahon.

“He’s the highest scorer in the division since he’s been here, he’s coming back from injury, we need to get him back in playing. 

“Phipps has obviously been suspended but he’s been a big player for us prior to his suspension. He gives us that height as well.

“We picked a team that has played ever so well over Christmas for us and I felt in that first half it didn’t play so well and Phippsy and Macca coming in gave a good account of themselves.

“It was a great goal, great movement from Josh and a great finish, but it wasn’t enough. I keep saying the same word, we lacked that intensity in our running, running beyond people and past people, dribbling past people, passing it quick like we do.

“We lacked that and we have to accept it and own it that it wasn’t at the performance level we expect ourselves to be at and move forward.”

Daggers head to lowly Aldershot, who were beaten 3-0 at home by Notts County this weekend, for their next test on Tuesday (7.45pm).