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Dagenham drew 2-2 with Second Division Plymouth Argyle at Home Park on Saturday in the Third Round of the FA Cup and ahead of next weeks Victoria Park replay the Daggers could name a virtually unchanged side this evening.
As a result of the huge challenge, and with a few injuries enforced upon them, United have named a much stronger side than they usually would for this type of fixture with many first team regulars taking their place in the starting line-up.
Both Daniel Gay, indeed the Club's only Senior goalkeeper, and Damon Searle played the whole ninety minutes at Carlisle United on Saturday whilst Tes Bramble - Southend's leading scorer - and David McSweeney also appeared from the bench.
Stuart Thurgood returns having served the three match suspension following his dismissal in the 2-1 win at Hornchurch in the last round. It was Thurgood who was the hero in the Third Round at Great Wakering Rovers with two lates goals to seal another 2-1 win.
Phil Whelan, who doesn't feature tonight after limping off at Carlisle, scored the first at Hornchurch, but Mark Salter who grabbed a last gasp winner will partner Barrington Belgrave upfront.
Dagenham, who beat Maldon Town, 2-1, at the Wallace Binder Ground in the last round last met Southend in the competition back in 1997-98 where the Daggers thrashed United 6-2 in the semi-final, Mark Jones and Andy Thomson grabbed the Shrimpers goals.
Last season, with Dagenham still heavily involved in the Conference championship race, a very much reserve side which included Neville Southall lost 6-1 to Canvey Island in the final at Roots Hall, but Garry Hill's side will be looking to put that right this time around.
Southend last won the competition in 1996-97, goals from Peter Dursun and Wesley Thurley earning a 2-1 trimuph over Braintree Town in a match played at Victoria Road.
Let's get down to Dagenham and cheer the team on!
SOUTHEND:- Daniel Gay, David McSweeney, Damon Searle, Tom Jordan, Neil Jenkins, Stuart Thurgood, Anthony Clark, Steven Clark, Tes Bramble, Barrington Belgrave, Mark Salter. Subs - Matt Davies, Joe Ilett, Jamie Gray, Daryl Plummer, Steve Tilson.
Mark Wallis
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