HARTLEY Wintney’s FA Cup run came to an end despite a sterling performance against Dagenham and Redbridge.

The Row will feel very unlucky to have lost as they were the better side for large portions of the match.

Dagenham had an early break down the left through Sam Deering and his parting shot was blocked. Hartley responded and on 3 minutes had a good chance to open the scoring. Matt Drage took a clever free kick which left Kingsley Eshun behind the Daggers defence. The Row strikers shot went into the side netting from a difficult angle.

Dagenham’s main threat came from Deering and on 6 minutes he cut in and his parting shot brought out a good save from Luke Williams in the Hartley goal. At the other end Mitch Parker found space and his shot was saved by the well positioned Elliot Justham in the Daggers goal.

Play moved from end to end but on 14 minutes Dagenham were awarded a penalty kick. George Saunders found space on the right wing and his cross hit the hand of Tom Bird. Referee Tom Bishop who was well placed pointed to the spot. Mitch Brundle scored with a shot down the middle of the goal with Williams diving to his left. (1-0)

Hartley responded well and on 17 minutes a free kick on the left from Tom Bird was just missed by a few Row forwards. Two minutes later Parker had an effort saved by Justham. The best move of the match arrived on 29 minutes when Parker and Sam Argent combined well to set up Josh Webb. The midfielder’s strong shot was saved by Justham.

On 34 minutes the Row had a good chance to equalise. A long ball saw Eshun out muscle Kenny Clark leaving a clear run in on goal. In a one on one situation it was Daggers keeper Justham who came out on top blocking Eshun’s shot.

The Daggers had a spell of pressure towards the break but without testing Williams in the Row goal. .

Hartley started the second half well and a corner by Ty Smith on 53 minutes caused the Daggers defence problems before they were able to clear. Three minutes later Eshun managed to get behind the Dagenham defence. However he went to ground with a penalty appeal which referee Bishop waved away.

On 71 minutes the Row had a good chance to pull level. The Row defended some Daggers pressure and a delightful ball by Dom Griffiths went straight into the path of Parker down the left. The striker was left with a one on one situation with Justham which was won when the Daggers keeper blocked with his legs.

The Row pressed hard for the equaliser and on 76 minutes Parker set up Ben Wright on the edge of the box. The substitute strikers shot beat Justham who could only watch as the ball went just over the crossbar. On 90 minutes the Row put together a slick move which saw initially a cross blocked, Parker was quickly onto the rebound but shot over.

In added time with the Row throwing caution to the wind the Daggers had a chance of a second goal. Angelo Balanta threaded a pass through to Darren Mc Queen who rounded Williams in the Row goal. However his shot from a tight angle saw Matt Drage clear off the line.

Despite the loss, a top class performance from the entire Hartley Wintney team. Anthony Millerick said he wanted a "controlled, structured and confident performance". He certainly got that in abundance and no little skill into the bargain. The only thing missing was that elusive goal.

The Row will be looking to carry on this form into their league matches starting on Tuesday at home to Yate Town.